Sri Lankan president visits world heritage church complex in Goa

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday visited a world heritage monument complex housing churches in old Goa during his visit to the state to participate in the BRICS-BIMSTEC outreach meet.

During the morning hours, Sirisena arrived at the Basilica de Bom Jesus, a church housing relics of 16th century saint Francis Xavier.

The Sri Lankan President went around the complex, situated 9 kms away from Panaji, and was briefed about its religious and architectural importance by the priest.

"The Sri Lankan President admired the building. I took him around the place and explained to him the importance of the place," Fr Savio Barretto, the parish priest of the Basilica told PTI.

 

The President spent some time with the relics of St Xavier which are kept in a glass container encased in a silver casket, Fr Barretto said.

Sirisena later visited Se Cathedral and Christian Art Museum, both situated alongside the Basilica de Bom Jesus at old Goa.