Srilanka, April 27 -- Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, representing Sri Lanka at the Vatican, paid his final respects to the late Pope Francis, whose body lay in state at St. Peter's Basilica. Minister Herath attended the solemn occasion yesterday (26), on behalf of the Government, ahead of the Pontiff's funeral rites.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)....