Lankapuvath

ITALY

Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a unitary parliamentary republic in south-central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia along the Alps. To the south it consists of the entirety of the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Sardinia—the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea—and many other smaller islands. The independent states of San Marino and the Vatican City are enclaves within Italy, whilst Campione d'Italia is an Italian exclave in Switzerland. The territory of Italy covers some 301,338 km2 (116,347 sq mi) and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. With 60.6 million inhabitants, it is the fifth most populous country in Europe, and the 23rd most populous in the world.

  President - Giorgio Napolitano, born 29 June 1925 is an Italian politician and former lifetime senator, the 11th and current President of the Italian Republic. His election took place on 10 May 2006, and his term started with the swearing-in ceremony held on 15 May 2006. He is the first President of Italy to have been a member of the Italian Communist Party.

Prime Minister - Silvio Berlusconi, born 29 September 1936) is an Italian politician, the current Prime Minister of Italy, as well as an entrepreneur. He is also known under the nickname Il Cavaliere (literally, The Knight), due to the knighthood Order of Merit for Labour which he received in 1977.
He is the second longest-serving Prime Minister of Italy, after Benito Mussolini. He held this position on three separate occasions: from 1994 to 1995, from 2001 to 2006 and currently since 2008.

Capital                            Rome
(and largest city)     41°54′N 12°29′E
Official language(s)     Italian
Demonym     Italian
Government     Unitary parliamentary republic
President     Giorgio Napolitano
Prime Minister     Silvio Berlusconi (PdL)
Legislature     Parliament
Upper House     Senate of the Republic
Lower House     Chamber of Deputies
Formation
Unification     17 March 1861
Republic     2 June 1946
Area
Total     301,338 km2 (71st)
116,346 sq mi
Water (%)     2.4
Population
2010 estimate     60,605,053[2] (23rd)
2001 census     56,995,744
Density     201.1/km2 (61st)
520.9/sq mi
Currency     Euro (€)  (EUR)

MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR OF ITALY, FABRIZIO PIO ARPEA

As Ambassador of Italy in Sri Lanka, on the occasion of the celebration of the Italian National day, I am pleased to acknowledge the excellent status of the bilateral relations between our two Countries.

Trade has constantly increased, with the commercial balance largely in favour of Sri Lanka. Even during the difficult years of the conflict, Italian investors have not turned away, but have kept their confidence in the long-term possibilities of the Srilankan economy. Now, with the achievement of peace and stability, as well as with the ongoing process of national reconciliation, investors from Italy show a growing interest in the potential of sectors such as tourism or textile manufacturing.

Although the relations between our two Countries date back to the Roman Empire, they were enhanced tremendously as a consequence of Italy’s participation in the post-tsunami reconstruction. Almost 100 million EUROS of Italian public and private funds have been spent for the implementation of over 100 projects. To this respect I wish to highlight how more than half of this amount was the direct contribution of the Italian people, who gave spontaneously and generously to help the reconstruction of a Friend Country dramatically hit by unpredictable forces of nature.

Also during the recent floods which have heavily affected large areas of the North and East of the Country, the Government of Italy was able to promptly organize a flight of humanitarian goods for the benefit of the local population.

This year Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of Unity, a process which took time, will, commitment and a large share of suffering for the families of all those who sacrificed their lives while fighting for freedom and independence. The Embassy of Italy will organize a series of events to celebrate this important moment of our national history, starting from a concert of classical music. I will continue the commitment to spread among our Srilankan friends the knowledge of the Italian culture in all its aspects: music, opera, cinema, visual art, fashion, design.

The links between our two Governments have been strenghtened by the confirmation, year after year, of the provision of a quota for working visas, both seasonal and non seasonal, in favour of Srilankan citizens. The presence of a peaceful, hard-working and increasingly integrated srilankan community in Italy is the best example of the closeness of people. In order to further enhance the integration of Srilankan citizens in Italy, we have recently signed a bilateral agreement on the recognition of driving licences, so that Srilankans residents in Italy will be able to drive without the need of an exam.

The cooperation between the two Countries continues in different areas: an Italian expert in frescos and mural paintings, Fabrizio Bandini from the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence, a world famous Italian institute specialized in the restoration of artworks, has just spent three weeks in Sri Lanka to provide his assistance and advice for the conservation of the numerous archaeological sites of the Country. He has visited the major historic sites, like Sigiryia, Dambulla, Kandy, Polonnaruwa, and has conducted workshops with srilankan experts in the field. This is the follow-up of a long-established collaboration between Italy and Sri Lanka, which started in the 60s with the visits of Professor Luciano Maranzi from Rome, who helped the Srilankan experts to restore the Sigiriya frescos after they were vandalised.

Sri Lanka is now facing a new beginning, and Italy hopes that the political institutions and the different communities of the Country will approach the challenges ahead with mutual understanding, pragmatism, fairness and generosity. The stable political framework which the Country enjoys will facilitate the shaping of a Sri Lanka in which every individual will be able to express the pride to be member of a just and equal society.

On behalf of the Italian people and Governement, I avail myself of this opportunity to wish peace, stability and prosperity to Sri Lanka and all Srilankans, as well as a long and strong friendship between our two Countries.

Sri Lanka-Italy Friendship Society

Founded by a group of Italians and their Srilankan friends under the patronage of the Italian Embassy, the Sri Lanka Italy Friendship Society has been promoting the development of ties and friendship since its inception in the early seventies.

In the year 2000 the activities start to intensify and many cultural and social events were organised.

Under the presidencies of Dr. Sebastian Pillai and Dr. Carlo Andrenelli the charity activities start to develop with targeted events.

Proceeds from these events have supported different charities in Sri Lanka.
Last year’s beneficiaries were the Centre for Performing Arts under Father Saveri and a home for elders, as well as Shanti Community Animation Movement, established by Father Catalano.

This year the society has enhanced the charity activity and extended its support to The Daughters of Providence for the Deaf & Dumb under Mather Chidinma Onyeozin and Rekawa Foundation - Protection For The Unprotected.