Ambassador Aryasinha presents credentials to Pope Benedict XVI.

Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha, who is concurrently accredited to the Holy See, presented his credentials to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the 13^thof December 2012 at a ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

In his message to the Holy Father, Ambassador Aryasinha traced the historic relations between the Holy See and Sri Lanka and noted the constructive contribution of the Church towards the areas of education, healthcare, social services and post-conflict development in the country. Explaining the significant developments taking place in Sri Lanka since the restoration of peace in the country, Ambassador Aryasinha, said "as Sri Lanka builds on a new era of peace, stability and equality, where the multicultural, multi-religious and multiethnic dimension that the country is renowned takes primacy, the pivotal role that can be played by religious leaders in this regard had been readily recognized". He noted "the important contribution and dedication of the Roman Catholic Church towards inter-religious dialogue and socio-cultural development in Sri Lanka".

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