Ambassador visits the city of LUCCA:

Sri Lanka, the relationship is consolidated

"Life is too short not to help others, not to grow up together, not to produce affluence". It is with this leitmotiv - taken from the words of entrepreneur Luca Marianetti - that Sri Lankan Ambassador Hemantha Warnakulasuriya visited the city of Lucca.

Accompanied by the President of ABV Energy Spa of Coselli, Ambassador Warnakulasuriya visited both Palazzo Orsetti and Palazzo Ducale, the headquarters of the City and Provincial Council. "In both circumstances", explains the Ambassador, "I perceived the close relationship between your city and its entrepreneurial sector with the community that I represent".

A concept that was also emphasised by the Mayor of Lucca, Giovanni Pierami: "our relationship with Sri Lanka is strong and intact not only due to the significant number of Sri Lankans living in the city, but first and foremost because in 2004 Lucca contributed significantly to the reconstruction of the city of Galle, after the tsunami".

Today, Sri Lanka is facing another humanitarian emergency, with 300,000 IDPs in the north of Sri Lanka who are urging for the support of the international community.

"We are here for them", explained Ambassador Warnakulasuriya, "to collect funds and give hope to these people.

"Our two countries have a close economic and diplomatic relationship since the times of Emperor Vespasian. I thank President Napolitano for the great help given to us during the terrible cataclysm. But now, after a long conflict against a terrorist organisation, we are facing a new humanitarian emergency. Many of the IDPs have lost their limbs due to landmines. We need to do something about this".

The appeal was acknowledged by Luca Marianetti himself, who is committed, both within his company and with the support of the city of Lucca, to provide funds to redress this difficult situation.

"We have welcomed the visit of the Ambassador with great pleasure" explains Marianetti, "who also met the Sri Lankans working in our company. Furthermore, his visit has helped Sri Lanka to develop a strong commercial and institutional relationship with the authorities of Lucca".

After the institutional meetings, Ambassador Warnakulasuriya was invited, together with his staff, to a lunch hosted by the local authorities at the "La Buca di Sant'Antonio". The Ambassador was thrilled by the city's cuisine and food.