Sri Lanka, Italy :

Mutual driving licence recognition agreement signed

The Governments of Sri Lanka and ltaly signed a bilateral agreement for the mutual recognition of driving licences in each others’ territories on May 20.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Italy Hemantha Warnakulasuriya PC at the agreement signing ceremony

Sri Lankan Ambassador to ltaly, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya PC, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy on May 20. The Government of Italy was represented by Ambassador and Minister Andrea Perugini Head of Global Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs ltaly.

Speaking at the ceremony for the Exchange of Notes, Ambassador Warnakulasuriya expressed Sri Lanka’s warm and sincere gratitude to the Government of ltaly for its partnership for the realization of this agreement, which is significantly one of the first among non-European countries and Italy. He observed that the agreement signified the warm and productive nature of the ltaly-Sri Lanka relationship and noted the immense benefit that would accrue to the Sri Lankan expatriate community and their further successful integration into Italian society.

Ambassador Warnakulasuriya characterized ltaly’s relationship with Sri Lanka as the friendliest in the European sector and said the present agreement is symbolic of this friendship. In his remarks, Italy’s Ambassador Andrea Perugini re-iterated that this agreement - one of the first among non-European countries with Italy - is symbolic of the excellent, warm bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Italy.

While expressing ltaly’s continuing desire to strengthen this relationship, Ambassador Perugini expressed warm sentiments to Ambassador Warnakulasuriya for the fine contribution he has made during his tenure for the strengthening of the bilateral engagement.

The agreement signed on Friday will facilitate - within a transparent, predictable and legal process - the acquisition of a valid licence to drive in ltalian territory by those Sri Lankans who are in possession of a driving licence and who have been resident in Italy for a period of less than 4 years at the time of application and having obtained the Sri Lankan driving licence prior to acquisition of residence in ltaly.

Under the provisions of the agreement, eligible Sri Lankans could obtain a valid Italian driving licence through the conversion of a valid Sri Lankan driving licence after following the stipulated procedure and provision of necessary duly authenticated documentation.