Vatican Foreign Minister to visit churches affected by Easter Sunday attacks

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, who arrived in Sri Lanka, Monday, will visit churches affected by the Easter Sunday attacks, the Foreign Ministry said.

The visit is undertaken at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism of Sri Lanka, Vijitha Herath, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See.

During the visit, Archbishop Gallagher was expected to call on President Anura Kumara Disanayaka, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and also hold official talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

A special commemorative event marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations will also be held at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, where Archbishop Gallagher will deliver an address.

The programme will further include visits to sites of cultural and religious significance across the country including churches affected by the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019.