Update 6.30 pm- The inter religious meeting with the Holy  Father and the religious leaders of Sri Lanka is currently underway at the BMICH. The Holy Father is currently in the process of addressing those gathered at the BMICH Update 1.00 pm- The Holy Father's lunch with the Sri Lankan Catholic Bishops, which was scheduled to take place at 1.15 today, has been cancelled due to a delay the papal motorcade encountered along the Negombo road , the Vatican team has announced. The Holy Father will instead celebrate a private service at the Apostolic Nunciature before heading off to the presidential secretariat at 4.40 pm today. Update 12.00 pm- The motorcade carrying the Holy Father arrived at the Apostolic Nunciature an hour behind schedule. He had been due to reach the Nunciature at 11.00 am. He is now scheduled to arrive at the Bishop's House in Kinsey Road, Borella, around 1.15 pm. Update 10.15am- The Holy Father got off the open papal mobile at Kattunayake and made his way through to the crowd, much to the surprise of both the security officials and the people. After blessing the public gathered in the vicinity the Holy Father once again boarded the papal mobile.   Update 9.50am- The Holy Father's motorcade left the Bandaranaike International Airport a short while ago. The Papal convoy will now make its way through the Negombo road. Update 9.20am: Pope Francis was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport by President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago. 

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A special Traffic plan is in place in view of the visit of Pope Francis. The main road between Colombo and Negombo is being kept closed from 6.00 pm yesterday until 12 noon today. As such facilities are being provided for motorists to use the Colombo Katunayake Expressway sans a toll.