Sri Lanka's president has praised the work of the Catholic Church in helping the poor and underprivileged.
President Maithripala Sirisena also thanked Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith for his advice in difficult situations.
The president made the remarks in an address to bishops from all over Asia gathered for the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conference.
"I very much appreciate the work accomplished by the Catholic Church on behalf of the poor in Sri Lanka," he said.
"In fact, few weeks back I had an opportunity to declare the year 2017 as the Poverty Eradication Year for Sri Lanka. I appreciate the work of the Catholic Church in the promotion of the social and religious life of the people.
