His Eminence Antonio Cardinal Canizares Llovera, the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in the Vatican, presided at the Solemn Blessing of the Sick and the Benediction on 29th August 2010 at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka, Tewatta together with His Grace the Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, together with His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio in Sri Lanka Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Spiteri, His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, His Grace the Archbishop Emeritus Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Most Rev. Dr. Kingsley Swampillai Bishop of Trincomalee - Batticalao Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Marius Peiris - Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and the Very Rev. Episcopal Vicars and the Rev. Fathers.

The Solemn Prayer Service began with the recitation of the Holy Rosary and a special procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament with the banners from parishes, institutions, Religious houses, Colleges and schools.More than 3 lakhs of faithful participated in the prayer service.

After the Solemn Benediction, His Grace Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith declared the Year of the Eucharist in the Archdiocese which will conclude on 28th August 2011.