Friday, 3rd October 2014
President Mahinda Rajapaksa left the Island last afternoon for a visit to Italy and the Vatican on an invitation by the Holy See. The President is accompanied by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The highlight of the President's visit will be an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis I at Apostolic Palace which will take place today. Thereafter President Rajapaksa will have talks with His Eminence Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State and Prime Minister of the Holy See.
During his stay in Italy, the President will meet Sri Lankan expatriates living there and will also have discussions with SLFP organizers for the European Union, Rome and Northern Italy. External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, State Resources and Enterprise Development Minister Dayasritha Tissera, Social Services Minister Felix Perera, Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga, Monitoring MP of the Ministry of External Affairs Sajin de Vass Gunawardena and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Kshenuka Senewiratne are also accompanying the President during this tour. (PRIU)
From: Daily News. http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/president-leaves-italy-and-vatican
