Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Hon. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India welcomes Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka on 19^th January 2015 at the Official residence of the Prime Minister in New Delhi.

Mrs. Chitranganee Wagiswara has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the President Maithripala Sirisena. She received her letter of appointment from President Sirisena today (19^th January 2015) at the Presidential Secretariat. Thereafter, Mrs Wagiswara assumed duties at the Ministry Office at a simple ceremony.

His Holiness Pope Francis called on President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat this evening, where bilateral discussions were held between them with the sharing of good wishes.

Later, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe joined the discussion with Pope Francis and President Sirisena.

After this discussion, His Holiness and the President came to the hall which had a gathering of special invitees for the occasion, where the exchange of gifts between the Pope and the President took place.

The visit of Your Holiness gives me an opportunity to receive your blessings as I commence my term of office, said President Maithripala Sirisena welcoming the Holy Father at Bandaranaike International Airport this morning (Jan. 13).

The President, wishing the Pope a most fruitful and memorable journey in Sri Lanka sought the blessings of the Holy Father on the people of Sri Lanka and requested his prayers for the peace progress and prosperity of the people.

Following is the full text of the welcome speech by President Sirisena;