The newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka His Excellency Archbishop Joseph Spiteri arrived in Sri Lanka today, 20th June 2009 amd was welcomed at the Airport by His Lordship Bishop Vianney Fernando the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference and Archbishop Oswald Gomis, Archbishop Emeritus Nicholas Marcus Fernando, Bishop Raymond Peiris, Bishop Winston Fernando, Bishop Norbert Andradi, Mons.Baudouin Muankembe, Charge d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka and the Hon. Sarath Gunaratne, the Deputy Minister of Aviation.

Mons. Joseph Spiteri was ordained a Archbishop by the Vatican Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on Sunday 24th May 2009 at St. John's Co-Cathedral at Valetta in Malta.

Holy Father Pope Benedixt XVI appointed Mons. Joseph Spiteri as the New Apostolic Nuncio in Sri Lanka on 20th Feb. 2009, who was serving at the Office of the Secretariat of State in the in Vatican.

His Excellency Archbishop Joseph Spiteri born in Malta on the 20th of May 19S9 was ordained a priest on the 29th of June 1984. With a Doctorate Degree in Canon Law and His Excellency entered the Diplomatic Service of the Holy See in 1988 and thereafter His Excellency served in the Apostolic Nunciatures of Panama, Iraq, Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Venezuela and at the Office of the Secretariat of State Section for Relations with the States.

His Excellency the Archbishop Spiteri said, "  the role of Apostolic Nuncio of Sri Lanka, at this particular point in its history, is a major challenge in the mission and a privilege to serve Sri Lana to bring national harmony among all citizens ".

In reference to his new appointment, Archbishop Joseph Spiteri said " it is a sign of the unity of the Universal Church. The Church is one, so wherever we are, whether in Malta, Sri Lanka or in  Rome, we are serving the Lord and our brothers and sisters. That is what I hope to do when I arrive in Sri Lanka as the Pope's representative."

Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Spiteri look forward to help in the relief work in Sri Lanka, both personally and through the Catholic organizations there. "I plan to help the local bishops strengthen the faith and maintain good ecumenical and inter-religious relations with the other communities on the island," he said.

He comes to Sri Lanka when the all people look to the future to re-build the nation and peace and justice among all. He was confident a new Sri Lanka would emerge united, strong and built on justice, equality, freedom and humanity.

Hus Excellency the Archbishop Joseph Spiteri becomes the 08th Apostolic Nuncio to serve in Sri Lanka.

Apostolic Nuncios served in Sri Lanka -

1.Archbishop Carlo Curis 14.07.1977 - 30.03.1978

2. Archbishop Nicola Rotunno - 13.04.1978 - 30.08.1983

3. Archbishop Ambrose Battista De Paoli - 23.09.1983 - 06.02.1988

4.Archbishop François Robert Bacqué - 17. 06.1988 - 07.06.1994

5. Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla - 08.06.1994 - 22.08.1998

6. Archbishop Thomas Yeh Sheng-nan - 10.11.1998 - 22.04.2004

7. Archbishop Mario Zenari - 10.05.2004 - 30.12.2008

8. Archbishop Joseph Spiteri - 21.02.2009 -