A friendly meeting between Sri Lankans living in Italy and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was held today (14) in Bologna.
A group of Sri Lankan delegates representing various cities in Italy had a friendly chat at the Bologna Hotel where the Prime Minister was staying.
The Sri Lankan delegation first thanked the Prime Minister for allowing a group of Sri Lankans living in Italy to attend such a meeting despite the Covid-19 epidemic.
The audience also recalled the benefits that the Sri Lankan people have received so far due to the bilateral friendship between Italy and Sri Lanka during the Prime Minister’s tenure as President.
It was stated that the visionary action taken by the then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to establish a Sri Lankan Consulate General in Milan would save time and money for many Sri Lankans in resolving issues.
Sri Lankans living in Italy who hope to return to Sri Lanka someday in the future requested the Prime Minister to enable them to receive their pensions after 20 years of service even after returning home.
The Prime Minister immediately instructed External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris to discuss the matter with the Italian Government.
The Prime Minister, who is on a visit to Italy to join the G20 Interfaith Forum, is scheduled to attend several diplomatic meetings in the coming days.
Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris and Acting Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Italy Sisira Seneviratne were also present at the meeting.