Sri Lanka and Italy held their inaugural Political Consultations on Sept. 4, 2025, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism in Colombo. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra and Italy’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi.
Prior to the discussions, both countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Political Consultations Mechanism, formalizing a framework for regular dialogue.
Talks focused on enhancing cooperation in workforce mobility, trade, investment, tourism, defense, energy, food security, culture, and education. Both sides also addressed the revival of the Italy-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association and agreed to expedite key bilateral agreements, including those on migration, mobility, and mutual recognition of driving licenses.
Deputy Minister Tripodi also met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. She acknowledged the role of Sri Lankan migrant workers in Italy and pledged support to deepen bilateral ties. Her visit marks the first by a high-level Italian official to Sri Lanka since 2016. (Newswire)
