The late Pontiff’s efforts to promote peace admirable - President

[April 3, 2005 - 10.30 GMT]

President Chandrika Kumaratunga in a condolence message to the Vatican said she was deeply saddened by the passing away of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

In her letter to Cardinal Angelo Sodano she recalled with reverence the Holy Father’s visit to Sri Lanka in 1995. President Kumaratunga said the late Pontiff’s efforts to promote peace in the immediate post cold war period would be admired in the years to come.

Full text of the President’s message;

His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
Secretary to the Holy See.
The Vatican.

Your Eminence,

It is with deep sorrow that I learnt of the passing away of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

As a most revered and popular global personality, the late Holy Father has for over a quarter century spread the message of peace, reaching out to people across the earth, encouraging tolerance and universal understanding. The efforts of His Holiness to promote peace and harmony, especially in the immediate post cold war period, within and between nations, would continue to be admired in the years to come.

The contribution of the Holy Father to strengthen the warm relations that exist between Sri Lanka and the Holy See has been substantial and is greatly appreciated and admired by the people of this country. I would like to recall with reverence the visit of the late Holy Father to Sri Lanka in 1995, where, he so eloquently expressed loving kindness, compassion, sympathy and equanimity, which are abiding values upheld by Christianity, as well as the other great religions, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam practiced by Sri Lankans.

On behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka, and on my own behalf, permit me to extend to Your Eminence our deepest condolences in this period of grief for all Catholics. Please be assured, Your Eminence, that our warmest thoughts of solidarity are with you during this period of mourning.

Please accept Your Eminence, the assurances of my highest consideration.


Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga

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Last Updated Date: April 3, 2005 - 10.30 GMT