MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF ITALY IN SRI LANKA AND MALDIVES

Today, as we commemorate the 77th Anniversary of the Italian Republic, a day dedicated to honouring our Nation and the collective values and principles that unite us, I look back on the more than four-year journey of my stay in Sri Lanka.

I must admit, my tenure was during a very challenging period for Sri Lanka, having to contend not just with the aftermath of the Easter attacks in 2019 – a few month after my arrival - but the pandemic that rocked the world, lockdowns and the subsequent economic crisis, shortages and people protests which characterised last year. Throughout those difficult years, I have admired how Sri Lankans coped with numerous hardships and difficulties. The protests which manifested in 2022 and managed by the Sri Lankan authorities is a true example for the world of your vibrant democracy and pacifist way of showing dissent, which has been admired greatly in Italy and the whole world.

In this difficult period, I have been more than determined to continue and strengthen the connection between Italy and Sri Lanka which can be traced back to the first century, as the ancient Roman historian Pliny recounts the delegations from Sri Lanka visiting the Roman court around 50 AD and again in 375 AD. In more recent times, our countries maintain diplomatic missions with resident ambassadors in each other’s capitals, fostering warm and cordial bilateral relations.

Enjoying a mutual passion

It is so encouraging to see how connections established in ancient times have only grown stronger as our countries continue to nurture a dynamic and mutually rewarding relationship. The ties have extended to an expansive portfolio of areas that both Italy and Sri Lanka are passionate about and on which our two nations stand on common ground, be it fashion, design, architecture, art, heritage or the love of good food.

As examples of this collaboration, the book ‘La Dolce Vita in Serendip’ we launched in December 2021 collates stories and recipes from Sri Lankan restaurants that remain true to the flavours of Italian cuisine. I am sure this book is the first of many more editions adding other restaurants showcasing the amazing versatility of Italian cuisine in Sri Lanka. Another example is represented by the journey made by culinary superstar Carlo Cracco who visited Sri Lanka in 2021 on a mission to use Sri Lankan produce, like jakfruit in Italian cuisine.

That collaboration also led to two premier cuisine schools visiting Sri Lanka in early 2023. Impressed by the interest shown by Sri Lankans, the schools are now mulling the launch of a cuisine training centre in Colombo in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Higher Education. This initiative could pave the way for creating skilled manpower who could work in Italy in the field of hospitality, while also being a hub to attract students from Asia to study in Sri Lanka with the best international expertise.

We are both nations renowned for our warm hospitality and generous smiles which naturally form the core of tourism. Mutually beneficial tourism initiatives which included a visit by one of Italy’s largest travel agents to Sri Lanka, a tourism dialogue between key stakeholders, a visit by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism to Italy to develop tourism from and to both nations and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement which facilitated travel between the two countries augmented these objectives.

The mutual love for arts, culture & fashion

In this realm of an intriguing tapestry of similarities, both nations boast a rich and storied history that have shaped artistic expression over the years. I have personally witnessed the incredible talent and creativity within Sri Lanka’s art world, the creativity of the artists and of architects which are nurtured by important centers like the Academy of Design (AOD), College of Fashion and Design (CFD) Colombo Fashion Week, Colombo School of Architecture and the University of Moratuwa, who have all collaborated with the Italian Embassy to work on projects, scholarships and awards to nurture people in design, architecture and the creative arts.

We are both countries with an outstanding heritage and share a mutual need to conserve our centuries old heritage. Conservation therefore is paramount and collaborating on heritage and conservation is timely. This area of mutual respect for each other’s history and heritage began when expert restorer Luciano Maranzi arrived in Sri Lanka to restore the 5th century Sigirya Frescoes. Since then, Italy has brought together a vast repertoire of experts in archeology and heritage from Italy and Sri Lanka, the most recent of which was the Italo-Sri Lanka Heritage Forum held in March 2023 with the participation of the Ministries of Culture, Tourism and Higher Education.

While we revere and love our past, we also love the flair and pizzazz the future holds. This is seen in all its hues in the contemporary art space. Being a lover of contemporary art, I will return to Italy, not just with a treasure trove of memories but also a treasure trove of an expansive range of artworks by Sri Lankan artists, which I have been acquiring through my years in Sri Lanka.

Committed to commerce

Commerce between our two countries has always held centerstage for which I commend the commitment of the ItalySri Lanka Business Council which plays a crucial role in promoting Italian investments in Sri Lanka, contributing to the growth of trade and investment relations between our countries.

Italy has been honing investment into Sri Lanka for years, which is exampled from the behemoth apparel manufacturer Omega Line, one of the largest foreign investors in Sri Lanka. Working through seven manufacturing plants manned by almost 20,000 people primarily women, Omega Line is one of the most globally acclaimed state of the art operations in Sri Lanka given its stringent compliance and standards under the umbrella of People.Planet.Profit. Omega Line reflects the true spirit of Italy and adds to the bottom line of its exports contributing to Italy being the fifth largest trading partner for Sri Lanka.

Despite the pandemic and later the economic crisis, Italian exports to Sri Lanka amounted to over 235 million euro just in 2022, while Sri Lankan exports to Italy in the same year recorded almost 600 million euro, thus contributing very significantly to the resilience of the Sri Lankan economy.

An extraordinary opportunity is presented to Sri Lanka if Rome wins the bid to host EXPO 2030. Built on the theme,

“People and Regions Together: Urban Regeneration, Inclusion, and Innovation” could in fact represent a window of opportunity to showcase how Italy revels in the diversity of cultures, religions and people, another commonality with Sri Lanka which has built a strong foundation of unity in diversity. In addition, with an estimate of over thirty million visitors envisaged if Rome wins the bid for Expo 2030, Italy is committed to enhance Sri Lanka’s tourism potential and thus, birth a remarkable opportunity for tourism growth.

Building communities

The dynamic community of Sri Lankans residing in Italy play a vital role in fostering mutual knowledge and intercultural understanding. We value the significant contributions they make to the economies of both nations. Their presence, encompassing approximately 300,000 individuals, including Sri Lanka Olympic athlete Yupun Abeykoon and Second Runner Up at Miss Italy 2019 Sevmi Fernando, form a bridge that promotes understanding and appreciation of each other’s traditions, customs and ways of life.

It is my great pleasure to be working to grow and nurture this community by providing valuable employment opportunities for Sri Lankans overseas ensuring dignity of labour and a celebration of skill. Sri Lankans working legally in Italy enjoy a free health system, pension schemes, high remuneration, a vibrant social net and numerous other benefits not common in other parts of the world.

To foster this relationship even more, Italy is currently engaged in negotiations with the Sri Lankan government to establish an MOU aimed at enhancing labour capabilities and promoting legal migration. We will be focusing on upskilling and training young people in numerous areas including nursing, caregiving and hospitality, expanding on the work we have been doing in Chilaw. This will fill key skill gaps in the European market, with the support of local and Italian partners.

Looking to the future

My husband Nico and I, not to mention our pet Saluki CucciCucci, have been profoundly happy in Sri Lanka. The friendships we have forged are lifelong and the deep love we have for this beautiful country will live forever and remain etched in our hearts. Sri Lanka has captured our hearts and souls with its vintage cities, beautiful beaches, verdant forests, magical natural wonders and gorgeous wildlife, particularly the majestic elephants I love seeing roaming wild and free.

The connection I have with Sri Lanka is timeless. I am committed to nurturing the bonds we have created and celebrating the vibrant culture and beauty of this remarkable nation. These are my last few days in this beautiful island and I am reminded of a poignant quote I now understand only too well. “When you go to Sri Lanka, you cry twice. Once when you arrive and the other when you leave.”

In the hope that I have contributed even in a small way to uplift this beautiful island and with the promise that I’ll be back, so long my friends and Happy Italian Republic Day! This is not an adieu but an “Arrivederci”!