President to meet Pope

[April 18, 2007 - 8.10 GMT]

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for Italy this morning (18) on a four-day official visit to the Holy See. He is expected to meet His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and convey the best wishes of the Sri Lankan people on his 80th birthday and the Second anniversary of his election as Pope. The President will also brief the Pope on the situation in Sri Lanka, particularly on the efforts that are being taken by the Government to find a negotiated settlement to the ethnic conflict in the country.

The President was accompanied by Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa, Ministers Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Felix Perera, Milroy Fernando and several officials. Foreign Affairs Minister who is in Rome on an official visit will join the delegation there.

President Rajapaksa is also expected to hold bi-lateral talks with the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Romano Prodi during this tour.