Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, is on a six-day visit to Sri Lanka, from November 3 to 8. The tour marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the Holy See and the island nation. According to Vatican News, it also underscores the shared commitment to peace, reconciliation, and interfaith dialogue.
Upon arrival, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra received Archbishop Gallagher, as reported by the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry. His schedule includes meetings with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. He is also participating in a conference on the Holy See’s perspective on dialogue and peace.
The visit includes a strong pastoral element, with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo and visits to sites affected by the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people. Church officials said the gesture reflects the Vatican’s continued solidarity with victims and their families. Later in the week, Archbishop Gallagher plans to meet Buddhist leaders at the Malwatta and Asgiriya temples in Kandy and make a stop at the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka. Vatican News reported that the Sri Lankan Church described the trip as “a moment of renewal in faith and fraternity,” highlighting its spiritual and diplomatic significance.