President Mahinda Rajapaksa returned to the island in the morning after a successful tour of The Vatican and Italy.

He visited The Vatican on the invitation of The Holy See and met with Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace. The President formally invited the Pope to vist Sri Lanka.

Pope Francis is expected to visit the island in January.

The President also met Secretary of State of The Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

After his visit to the Vatican, President Rajapaksa also met with Sri Lankans in Rome and Milan.

The President also lauched the Sri Lanka Freedom Party European Union Branch official website and met with representatives of SLFP South Italy Branch.