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Cardinal says Pope visit on, dismisses reports of cancellation as ‘fiction’
The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, yesterday dismissed reports that the papal visit was cancelled as ‘pure speculation.’
“This is purely a fiction created by somebody.The Vatican advance team has confirmed that they will arrive in the island during the course of the week,” Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told the Sunday Times.
“I can say with assurance that the papal visit will take place as planned,” he added.
Church sources said that the Vatican delegation will arrive in the island on Friday (9).
Director of the Media Information Centre for the papal visit, Rev. Cyril Gamini told the Sunday Times, “All preparations are being done according to schedule and we hope to finalise everything before the election.”
Head of ground preparations, Rev. Father Priyantha Silva said more than 60 percent of the preparations had been completed so far. The stage, under construction at Galle face green would be completed by Wednesday (7). Several tents and fencing pens would also be put up this week.
Around 500,000 people are expected to be present at the Galle Face Green on January 14, when Pope Francis will celebrate Holy Mass before canonising the Blessed Joseph Vaz.