Under the guidance of President Rajapaksa, the Government is taking all necessary measures to facilitate a successful visit of Pope Francis. The Government is confident that the visit of Pope Francis to Sri Lanka will be a success.

Meanwhile, the Police Department has implemented a special security programme for the upcoming visit of the Pope to the island on 13th of January. The police media spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana, said a contingency of 23,000 police officers will be deployed to provide security during the Papal visit. The special police force will include five Deputy Inspectors of General (DIGs) and 17 Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs).

The public will have the opportunity to witness the Pope's motorcade from the sides of the road from Katunayake to Vatican house in the Bauddhaloka Mawatha and pay tribute to the Pontiff.

On the 14th of January the Pope will conduct a Holy Mass and Canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz at Galle Face Green in Colombo. The Police media spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana has requested the people to use public transport to enter the city from Kandy, Galle, High Level, Negombo, Biyagama and Malabe Roads to observe the mass at the Galle Face Green.

In the meantime all arrangement have been completed to facilitate Pope’s visit to the Madhu Shrine in the North. Pope is expected to arrive by 3.45 PM by a special helicopter to Madhu. He will be brought to the shrine in a motorcade accompanied by the Bishop of Mannar and cardinals. On his way to the shrine Pope is expected to bless the congregation. More than 500,000 devotees are expected to congregate at the Madhu Church. Pope is scheduled to be in Madhu church for an hour.