President Maithripala Sirisena returned to the country this morning after a successful visit to Vatican, Rome, President Media Unit said.
President Sirisena arrived in Vatican on December 13 on a special invitation of Pope Francis. His Holiness commended the initiatives taken by the President towards peace building and reconciliation in the country. He also expressed his happiness over the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him when he visited Sri Lanka last January and said that Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with friendly people.
The Holy Father presented President Sirisena with a wooden depiction of the “Tree of Peace,” made with two intertwined olive branches and a book written by the Holy Father about the environmental protection and Social Justice.
Subsequently, President Sirisena met with the Secretary of State of Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and held discussions. The President participated in a banquet hosted by Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith Cardinal on the 15th at St Thomus Church in Livia Bella in Rome.
The Archbishop expressing his pleasure over the visit of President Sirisena said; “When the Holy Pope visited Sri Lanka, he said the simple habits and unpretentious nature of President Maithripala Sirisena was similar to his life style. When the Holy Pope said ‘President Sirisena is just like me’ I said ‘no you are just like President Sirisena,”.
.
You can share this post!
Content
The Election Commission has announced the plan for leave for both public and private sector employees for the upcoming presidential election on September 21, 2024, without loss of salary or personal leave.
The Constitutional Council has approved four nominees, proposed by the President, to fill vacancies in the Court of Appeal.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe today called on ITAK’s Mavai Senathiraja at his residence in Jaffna today.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has launched its economic blueprint focused on good governance and inclusive prosperity.
Leave Comments