Pontiff arrives in Sri Lanka, campaigns for respect for human right

Pope Francis has embarked on the first papal visit to Sri Lanka since the end of a 26-year-civil war in 2009.

Pope Francis, at the start of his six-day tour of the island country, called for respect for human rights, inclusivity, and the "pursuit of truth".

Shortly after his arrival on Tuesday, January 13 at the Colombo's international airport, the pontiff said that peace could be found by "cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and peace."

According to , Pope Francis said that rebuilding Sri Lanka was more than just improving infrastructure "but also, and even more importantly, promoting human dignity, respect for human rights, and the full inclusion of each member of society."

The Pope said that the "pursuit of truth" was important, "not for the sake of opening old wounds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity."

The Pope was received at the airport by the country's new President, Maithripala Sirisena.

The Pope's trip, which comes five months after a tour of South Korea, is being seen as an attempt to win new followers in Asia and to shore up support for the region's millions of Catholics.