President greets Pope Francis

President Mahinda Rajapaksa sent his good wishes to Pope Francis.

“Your Holiness has been elected as the Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church in a significant era when the world is facing unprecedented social and economic challenges and as such, there is a greater yearning for peace and harmony in the difficult theartes of conflict,” President Rajapaksa said in the message.

He said: “ Sri Lanka enjoys longstanding close and cordial bilateral relations and has also actively contributed to the Holy See’s initiative on inter – religious dialogue over the years”.

President Rajapaksa said also expressed confidence that the warm relationship will further strengthen during the Pontificate of His Holiness.