By Yohan Perera   
Sri Lanka and the Vatican are looking towards closer bilateral relationships as both states are gearing towards celebrating 50 years of bilateral ties next year.   
Both parties expressed this desire at a reception held in Colombo to mark the 11th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis on Wednesday.   
Apostolic Nuncio ( Ambassador of Vatican ) in Sri Lanka Archbishop Brian Udaigwe who addressed the event said there have been some challenges as it is with any relationship but hoped that there would be more papal visits within shorter periods.   
“We are happy to have Education Minister Susil Premajayantha as the chief guest. His ministry covers one of the areas where the cooperation of the Catholic Church is much evident and ever present for the good citizens of this country. There have also been some challenges to the relationship with controversies that surround the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks that come to mind, but we are confident that they will be resolved amicably sooner or later and justice met,” Archbishop Udaigwe said. 

 
“Diplomatic relationship between the Holy See and the Sri Lankan government was established in 1975. We are in for the 49th year of our diplomatic ties. We are looking forward to the 50th year in 2025. It has to be noted that long before the establishment of an official diplomatic relationship between Sri Lanka and the Catholic Church, relations were already positive and fruitful. Drawing with the network of its various organizations, the Catholic Church offered appreciable assistance and substantial support to this country from the areas of education, health, advancement and empowerment of women, youth and the downtrodden as a part of our evangelical contribution for human development,” he added.
Mr. Premajayantha said there is potential for closer ties between the two states. Contribution of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka in the field of education, vocational training and social welfare is significant. I believe there is potential to expand cooperation with universities and other educational institutions under the purview of the Holy See,” the minister said.   
“Sri Lanka has maintained a close bilateral relationship with the Holy See since 1948. Sri Lanka established full diplomatic bilateral ties with the Vatican in 1975 by establishing an embassy and concurrent accreditation of Sri Lanka to the Holy See. We are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with the Vatican next year in a fitting manner,” he added.