President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (4).

During the meeting, President Dissanayake expressed gratitude for the Vatican’s continuous support to Sri Lanka, particularly in education, humanitarian efforts, and post-tsunami recovery. 

He described Archbishop Gallagher’s visit, marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Holy See, as a “blessing” for the country.

Archbishop Gallagher praised Sri Lanka’s progress in promoting peace and unity under the President’s leadership and reaffirmed the Vatican’s commitment to supporting the nation’s stability and harmony.

He also indicated that Pope Leo XIV may consider a visit to Sri Lanka in the near future.

Archbishop Gallagher is in Sri Lanka from November 3 to 8 to attend events commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Sri Lanka.