Ministry of Defence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

11/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/05/2025 01:51

Golden Jubilee of Diplomatic Relations Between Sri Lanka and the Holy See Commemorated

Sri Lanka and the Holy See celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations at a ceremony held yesterday (4 November) at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) attended the event, which was also graced by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations of the Holy See, His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo, and Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The ceremony featured a keynote lecture by Archbishop Gallagher and also a speech by Minister of Science and Technology, Hon. Prof. Chrishantha Abesena.

The event brought together Cabinet Ministers, ambassadors, commanders of the tri-forces, senior officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and religious leaders.

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