Pope Francis left Sri Lanka this morning after a two-day visit during which he preached a message of reconciliation.
He left for The Philippines on the second leg of his Asia tour.
He was seen off by President Maithripala Sirisena and senior officials of the Sri Lankan government, besides senior church officials.
Before his departure, Pope Francis I visited a church-founded post-war reconstruction institute and prayed at its chapel.
The Pope was in Sri Lanka to canonise the country's first saint Joseph Vaz.
During his stay, he stressed on the need for inter-faith dialogue and reconciliation,and became the second pope to visit a Buddhist temple.
Catholics form seven percent of Sri Lanka's population.
The Pope will be in The Philippines till January 19.
