VATICAN CITY, 1 DEC 2008 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received Mahinda Rajapaksa, president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. The president subsequently went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
"The cordial discussions took into consideration the present situation in Sri Lanka", reads an English-language communique, "in order to underline the necessity of meeting the basic needs of the deeply-affected civilian population and consolidating the path of dialogue and negotiation, which is the only way to reach a just and lasting political solution to the ongoing conflict.
"The hope was also expressed that the Catholic Church would continue to enjoy the full right to religious freedom, thus enabling her to make a significant contribution to the life of the country through her religious witness, her educational, healthcare and charitable initiatives, and her commitment to work for the common good, reconciliation and peace".
OP/VISIT PRESIDENT SRI LANKA/RAJAPAKSA VIS 20081201 (180)
"The cordial discussions took into consideration the present situation in Sri Lanka", reads an English-language communique, "in order to underline the necessity of meeting the basic needs of the deeply-affected civilian population and consolidating the path of dialogue and negotiation, which is the only way to reach a just and lasting political solution to the ongoing conflict.
"The hope was also expressed that the Catholic Church would continue to enjoy the full right to religious freedom, thus enabling her to make a significant contribution to the life of the country through her religious witness, her educational, healthcare and charitable initiatives, and her commitment to work for the common good, reconciliation and peace".
OP/VISIT PRESIDENT SRI LANKA/RAJAPAKSA VIS 20081201 (180)
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