“The new Archbishop occupies a special place among the Archbishops in Sri Lanka who brought great honour and prestige to the country. Especially the service he rendered to build the image of the country will always be remembered with gratitude. Occupying two prestigious positions in the Holy See he still continues with this mission both on behalf of the Catholic faith as well the country as a whole”. So said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the felicitation ceremony to welcome the new Archbishop at the BMICH, yesterday(10).

Archbishop Rt. Rev Dr. Malcom Ranjith yesterday requested the international community not to isolate the country as such action would aggravate the sufferings of the people.

He said the imposition of a political or economic embargo on Sri Lanka by the international community would serve no purpose and urged them to help Sri Lanka overcome the problems of the displaced Tamil people at this decisive moment.

He added that Pope Benedict XVI blessed President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his efforts to bring peace and prosperity to the country and remembered President’s Rajapaksa’s visit to the Vatican when he met the Holy Pontiff .

“I firmly believed that I will be able to strengthen the hands of the President and other religious leaders who are striving to rebuild the country and decided to take over the task assigned by the Pope.”

“The Christian community in Sri Lanka has tremendously contributed to the development of country and they have actively been involved in the country’s liberation struggle”  the Archbishop said.