President
Mahinda Rajapaksa left for Italy this morning (18) on a four-day
official visit to the Holy See. He is expected to meet His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI and convey the best wishes of the Sri Lankan people on his
80th birthday and the Second anniversary of his election as Pope. The
President will also brief the Pope on the situation in Sri Lanka,
particularly on the efforts that are being taken by the Government to
find a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict in the country.
The President was accompanied by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Ministers
Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Felix Perera, Milroy Fernando and several
officials. Foreign Affairs Minister who is in Rome on an official visit
will join the delegation there.
President Rajapaksa is also expected to hold bi-lateral talks with the
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Romano Prodi
during this tour.
President
Mahinda Rajapaksa left for Italy this morning (18) on a four-day
official visit to the Holy See. He is expected to meet His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI and convey the best wishes of the Sri Lankan people on his
80th birthday and the Second anniversary of his election as Pope. The
President will also brief the Pope on the situation in Sri Lanka,
particularly on the efforts that are being taken by the Government to
find a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict in the country.
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