VATICAN CITY, JUNE 8, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The president of Sri Lanka visited Benedict XVI today at the Vatican.
Mahinda Rajapaksa went on to meet with Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, a Vatican communiqué reported.
The communiqué noted that the leaders discussed “the steps taken to favor socio-economic development, and reconciliation among the communities hit by the long internal conflict which has affected the country. The hope was expressed that a global joint solution may soon be found corresponding to the legitimate expectations of all the parties involved.”
They also spoke of the contribution the Church makes in Sri Lanka, particularly “with her religious witness and educational, healthcare and social assistance activities.”
Sri Lanka’s 21.5 million people are primarily Buddhist (69%). Christians are about 6% of the population.
