A tourist’s simple request for a glass of tap water at a hotel restaurant in the Italian Dolomites has culminated in Italy’s top court ruling that being served water from the tap is not a consumer right, after a lengthy and costly legal saga.

The case dates back to 2019 when the woman spent a week at the five-star hotel in the ski resort of Corvara, in Badia, over Christmas and New Year. She was on a half-board deal with the evening meal included, except for drinks.

According to Italian press reports, the woman repeatedly asked for tap water with her meal, even offering to pay for it. This was refused, and instead she arrived at dinner each night to find a 0.75-litre bottle of mineral water, costing €7, on the table.

During her stay, the tourist complained about “constantly being denied the opportunity to consume tap water, and instead being forced to purchase bottled water”, Corriere Alto Adige reported, citing court papers.

The woman then pursued legal action, arguing water was “a natural resource and a universal human right” and that “the free provision of a minimum vital quantity is necessary to meet essential needs and must be guaranteed”, Corriere wrote.

The woman considered tap water to be an integral part of the service at a restaurant or hotel, “much like finding a bed with sheets, a warm room and soap in the bathroom”

She sought €2,700 in compensation for the “economic damage and emotional distress” suffered.

The first and second-instance courts dismissed her case, and the woman then appealed to the Supreme Court of Cassation. That court confirmed there was no law in Italy obliging restaurant managers or hoteliers to serve customers tap water, and dismissed the case, too.

Asking for free tap water at a restaurant in Italy is generally considered a breach of etiquette, especially if the server has already offered the choice of a bottle of natural or sparkling water. But customers are becoming bolder, with many seeking to avoid using plastic, and more restaurants now offer filtered water. (The Guardian)

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The long-awaited Mutual Recognition of Driving Licences between Sri Lanka and Italy officially comes into effect from April, providing a permanent solution to the driving license issue faced by Sri Lankans living in Italy, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath announced.

In a statement, Minister Herath said that the agreement, signed after a sustained diplomatic effort by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport and Highways, has completed all technical requirements for practical implementation.

Under the new arrangement, Sri Lankan residents in Italy who have lived there for six years will be eligible to convert their national driving licence into an Italian licence without sitting for written or practical tests.

Minister Herath further said the facility has been warmly welcomed by the large Sri Lankan expatriate community in Italy, noting that it will significantly improve employment opportunities and strengthen their contribution as a productive diaspora. (Newswire)

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An envoy to Donald Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the upcoming World Cup, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

The plan is an effort to repair ties between Trump and Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni after the two fell out amid the American president’s attacks against Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

“I confirm I have suggested to Trump and [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino that Italy replace Iran at the World Cup. I’m an Italian native, and it would be a dream to see the Azzurri at a US-hosted tournament. With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion,” the US special envoy Paolo Zampolli told the FT.

The White House, FIFA, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

Italy suffered a shock in March after the national team missed out on the World Cup for the third time in succession following a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in their qualifying playoff final.

The FT reported that Iran issued a statement on Wednesday saying it was prepared for the tournament and planned to participate. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Iran had said earlier in April it would only decide on the national team’s participation in the World Cup once it received a response from FIFA over the relocation of their matches from the US to Mexico. (The Guardian)

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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Rome has announced that applications for the conversion of driving licences under the Bilateral Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Driving Licences between Italy and Sri Lanka will be accepted starting April 10, 2026.

In a notice, the Embassy said that the Consular Section will dedicate April 10 and April 15, 2026, exclusively to receiving driving licence conversion applications due to the expected high demand.

On these dates, all other consular services will be restricted to emergency cases only, it added. 

The Embassy has requested the public’s cooperation and understanding, stressing that the temporary adjustment is necessary to efficiently manage the anticipated surge in applications. (Newswire)

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Italy has blocked US warplanes from using an American air base in Sicily.

Guido Crosetto, the Italian defence minister, told the Trump administration that military aircraft could not transit through Sigonella air base on the way to the Middle East.

US bombers were due to land at the base in eastern Sicily but were turned away while en route to the region.

Permission was not granted because Washington had not sought authorisation and Italy’s ‌military leadership was not consulted, as required under treaties governing the use of US military installations ⁠in the country.

The decision made by the Italian coalition government may come as a surprise to Washington, as Giorgia Meloni has been widely regarded as one of Donald Trump’s staunchest supporters in Europe.

But the prime minister has been politically weakened after losing a national referendum last week on an overhaul of the justice system.

Ms Meloni knows that the US-Israeli war against Iran is deeply unpopular with most Italians and the decision to deny American warplanes access to the Sicily base may be a way of putting some distance between her and the Trump administration.

The decision by Rome will probably upset the US president. On Monday, the Spanish government closed its airspace to American planes involved in attacks on Iran, with Washington threatening a trade embargo on Pedro Sánchez’s socialist government in response.

Mr Trump later singled out the UK in his criticism of countries suffering from soaring oil prices caused by Iran’s closure of the vital shipping lane, suggesting the UK needed to learn “how to fight”.

He said: “All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you.

“Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.”

He added that the UK had to learn “how to fight for yourself, the USA won’t be there to help you any more, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!”

Mr Trump then turned his attention to France and said the nation had been “very unhelpful” in the Iran war.

Mr Trump posted on Truth Social: “The Country of France wouldn’t let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory.

“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the ‘Butcher of Iran’ who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!”

Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary, later refused to say whether the US remained committed to Nato.

“A lot has been laid bare, a lot has been shown to the world what our allies would be willing to do for the USA when we undertake an effort of this scope on behalf of the free world,” Mr Hegseth said.

“You don’t have much of an alliance if you don’t have countries.”

Once regarded as one of Mr Trump’s closest allies in Europe, Ms Meloni now risks being seen by Washington in the same light as her European counterparts.

The base in Sicily, officially known as Naval Air Station Sigonella, is well placed for aircraft coming from the US to stop over and refuel as they head towards the Middle East or Asia.

It played an important role in 2011 when the US, Britain and France launched a campaign to depose Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan dictator.

The decision to deny the Americans access to the base was welcomed by opposition politicians in Italy, including Giuseppe Conte, a former prime minister. (The Telegraph)

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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)

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Italy’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, will undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka from 3–5 September 2025. 

According to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit is the highest-level incoming visit from Italy to Sri Lanka in almost a decade. 

During her visit, Deputy Minister Tripodi will co-chair, along with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka–Italy Political Consultations.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Political Consultations Mechanism is due to be signed during the visit, providing a structured framework for dialogue between the two countries. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1952. 

Deputy Minister Tripodi is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath. (Newswire)

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Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, has been elected as the President of the Sri Lanka-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

At the revival meeting of the Association held in Parliament this week (06 Aug), HMP Hector Appuhamy was elected as the Secretary of the Association.

The appointments were made during a meeting of the Sri Lanka-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Association held under the patronage of the Speaker, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. 

The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to Sri Lanka, Damiano Francovigh, attended the event as the Guest of Honour. Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament, and the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of Parliament were also present on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne highlighted the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and Italy, which dates back to the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in May 1952. 

He noted that over the years, this relationship has evolved into a strong partnership covering political, economic, cultural, and people-to-people dimensions. He emphasized that the revival of the Friendship Association reaffirms the shared commitment of both nations to promoting democratic values and fostering meaningful engagement between the two legislatures.

Italian Ambassador Damiano Francovigh congratulated the newly elected office bearers and expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm shown by Members of Parliament in engaging with the Friendship Association. 

He also read out a congratulatory message from the President of the Italy-South Asia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Union. The Ambassador further noted that the collaboration between Italy and Sri Lanka spans a diverse range of sectors, all contributing to mutual growth, and emphasized that this renewed cooperation lays a solid foundation for a promising future together.

In his remarks, the newly elected President, Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, expressed his gratitude to the members for electing him and noted that the Association would serve as an important platform for dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. He also invited members to actively participate in the initiatives of the Association to ensure the success of its objectives.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the newly elected Secretary, MP Hector Appuhamy, thanked the Speaker, the Ambassador, and fellow members for their support and expressed his commitment to work collaboratively to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Sri Lanka and Italy.

Prior to the meeting, the Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka met with the Speaker to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Italy. 

During the meeting, both parties focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas such as trade, tourism, culture, and people-to-people connections. 

The Ambassador also informed the Speaker about the upcoming visit of the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka in September, noting that this visit is expected to pave the way for further initiatives to deepen bilateral ties. (Newswire)

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The Italian government on Monday approved a new decree setting annual quotas for the admission of non-European Union (EU) workers, allowing up to 497,550 individuals to enter the country for employment over the next three years.

According to an official statement from the cabinet, the quotas will cover the period from 2026 to 2028 and include 230,550 permits for non-seasonal and self-employment, along with 267,000 permits for seasonal work in sectors such as agriculture and tourism.

The government said the decision was based on input from social partners and an evaluation of work permit applications submitted in recent years. These new quotas add to the approximately 450,000 migrant work visas issued between 2023 and 2025.

Since taking office in October 2022, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing administration has tightened measures against irregular immigration, focusing on reducing arrivals via sea routes and accelerating repatriations. Simultaneously, the government has emphasized its commitment to managing labour migration in line with Italy’s economic and demographic needs.

Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows that as of June 30, a total of 29,903 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea in 2025, up from 26,015 during the same period in 2024.

Meanwhile, 87 migrants were rescued on Monday during a maritime operation in the Mediterranean between Tunisia and Italy, and brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa, according to local media reports.

The group, primarily from African countries including Sudan, Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, and Senegal, had initially been assisted by Tunisian fishermen after their vessel encountered difficulties. The Italian coastguard later completed the rescue.

State broadcaster Rai News 24 reported that the boat had departed from Tunisia and capsized approximately 70 km off the coast of Lampedusa during the night between Sunday and Monday.

Among those rescued were ten minors. According to the coastguard, authorities believe at least five people drowned before rescuers arrived. (Xinhua)

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A massive eruption at Mt. Etna forced tourists to flee the volcano on Monday after a plume of high temperature gases, ash and rock “several kilometers high” billowed into the air above them, Italian authorities said.

Footage posted on social media shows long lines of people hurrying downhill away from the explosion while the owner of one tour company told CNN they had 40 people on the Sicilian volcano when it erupted.
Giuseppe Panfallo, a guide with Go Etna, filmed his tour group huddled together with an enormous ash cloud in the distance.

“We were nearly grazed, look at this cloud here. We were two steps away and thank goodness we have a responsible guide with us,” he says in the video shared with CNN.

“It arrived all at once, an immense smoke, immense, immense roar.”

About a dozen tour operators work on Etna at any given time, the Sicilian Civil Protection Agency told CNN, adding that they are contacting all of them to ensure everyone is accounted for.

The volcano on the Italian island is a popular tourist destination visited by 1.5 million people a year, many of whom trek almost all the way to its summit.

Although Mt. Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanos, there hasn’t been an eruption of this magnitude since 2014, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory.

These eruptions often stop as quickly as they start, the observatory added, though explosions are still increasing in intensity and the mountain is spewing out a very small amount of lava and fire.

This eruption, which began overnight, produced explosions heard as far away as Taormina and Catania, which are about 50 kilometers and 40 kilometers (31 miles and 25 miles) away, respectively, according to several witnesses who posted footage on social media.
The observatory said that the preliminary observations show a “partial collapse” of the northern flank of the volcano’s southeast crater, which has produced spectacular lava flows during recent eruptions in the last few months.

None of the ash is expected to fall on Catania, the city at the foot of the volcano, though authorities are prepared to alert people to take cover if the wind changes, the city’s mayor Enrico Tarantino told CNN. (CNN)

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Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has urged the Italian government to expedite the resumption of work visas for Sri Lankans, following a temporary suspension.

During a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Damiano Francovigh, the ambassador assured that Italy is reviewing its work visa policies for several countries, including Sri Lanka, and that the suspension is temporary. The Ambassodor agreed to convey Sri Lanka’s request to resume the issuance of work visas to the Italian authorities.

The discussion also covered the recognition of Sri Lankan driving licenses in Italy, with both parties agreeing to fast-track the signing of a related agreement. Additionally, the two countries plan to finalize several pending bilateral agreements, including one on migration and mobility cooperation, the Foreign Minister’s office said.

Ambassador Francovigh noted that diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Italy date back to 1952, with Italy ranking as Sri Lanka’s fifth-largest export market. He also highlighted that over 200,000 Sri Lankans currently reside in Italy and that 38,709 Italian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2024.

Minister Herath expressed appreciation for Italy’s continued support and emphasized the need to strengthen economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two nations. (Newswire)

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Italy’s minister of Enterprises Adolfo Urso, who is on an India visit, has said that India and Italy are working together in space and the nuclear domains. Italy will soon nominate a space attache at its consulate in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru. 

Speaking to WION’s Sidhant Sibal, Minister Adolfo who is also minister for “Made in Italy” said, “We believe that Italy and India, who already have major roles in space, could cooperate on what is most important and meaningful for its economic and civil consequences.”

He was also hopeful about the development of the India-Middle East Europe corridor, which the Italians also call the “Cotton Route”. The corridor was announced at the Delhi G20 summit and aims to link India with Europe via West Asia through a series of infrastructure projects. 

The comment comes a month after India and Italy unveiled the Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029 after the meeting of PM Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni at the G20 Brazil summit. 

The action plan calls for regular political dialogue, economic cooperation, connectivity, defence, and expansion of cooperation between the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Sidhant Sibal: Italy’s view on India Middle East Europe Corridor?

Adolfo Urso:  It is essential and crucial for Italy and India both, representing two natural docks for Europe and for the wider Indo-Pacific continent that will be able to get access through Italy and India. It is central for goods, for maritime traffic but central also to connecting through optical fiber wires and spreading information and data. It is the economy of the future. 

Sidhant Sibal: But do you see challenges, with the war in Gaza, Syria?

Adolfo Urso: We obviously work as G7 President towards de-escalation aiming at turning down tensions to get back to co-exist. It is with no doubt of paramount importance in those territories but for us all too. In order to build with them through the cotton route, the route of development, peace and coexistence.

Sidhant Sibal: Italy has decided to appoint a space attache at its consulate in Bengaluru if you can elaborate on it?

Adolfo Urso: We believe that Italy and India, which already have major roles in space, could cooperate on what is most important and meaningful for its economic and civil consequences. Earth observation is crucial for the territory’s governance and the exploration of space, first on the moon and then on Mars. Also to understand what best can be used for the development of our planet. We can and we have to do it together because we believe that this could be the way forward towards development.

Sidhant Sibal: And are you looking at nuclear cooperation?

Adolfo Urso: Italy, the Italian government has decided to revive the nuclear journey in a major way, characterized by Italian science to build the new plants, the small reactors, the fourth generation nuclear reactors, such plants on an industrial scale which are compatible, easy to move. This for sure can be done in synergy with India that plans to use nuclear energy production in order to build the energy of the future. This is safe, clean, compatible and industrially advanced. (WION)

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Indian and Italian Navy conduct Carrier Strike Groups Exercise off the West Coast of India.

In a post on the social media platform X, the Spokesperson for Indian Navy shared that the Indian Navy and Italian Navy held a historic bilateral maritime engagement which started on October 1 and concluded on October 6.

This was a historic engagement as it featured the maiden exercise by Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) from both navies. A CSG is a flexible naval force which can do operations in both confined waters or the open ocean, in all weather conditions and during all times of the day, thereby making it important for the navies.

The harbour phase of the engagement saw subject matter expert exchanges and other key professional interactions. The program also saw a Pre-Sail Planning Conference that included the participation of the Indian Air Force.

The sea phase of the engagement was on October 5 and 6 and led by the two carriers INS Vikramaditya and ITS Cavour along with INS Visakhapatnam and ITS Alpino.

The two CSGs held intense operations with their integral fighter aircraft and helicopters for various operations such as combined large force engagements, air combat missions, Helo operations and search and rescue missions. The engagements also involved co-ordinated weapon firings and joint manoeuvres so as to underscore joint operations and Command and Control capabilities of the two navies and enhance their interoperability.

In the post on X, it was noted that “a key facet of the landmark exercise was the participation of the Indian Air Force that undertook manoeuvres with Italian CSG aircraft including Large Force Engagements & Combat Missions.”

The event was noted to have the interactions under the title, ‘Bridges of Friendship’. India and Italy are friendly countries that share relations across all spectrums from defence to cultural relations. (ANI)

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Sri Lanka Customs has seized 30kg of the narcotic ‘Hashish’, estimated to be approximately Rs.212 million in value.

According to Customs officials, the stock of narcotics had been sent to Sri Lanka from Italy via a parcel clearance company in Colombo.

One suspect, arrested in connection to the narcotics, has been handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for investigations. (Newswire/ Image – File Pic)

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Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Italy for the G7 Summit, Indian Ambassador Vani Rao said, “we are looking at linking the defence industries of the two countries and also maritime cooperation.”

The G7 summit will take place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13-15.

While speaking to ANI, the envoy said India’s relationship with Italy is growing, and the high level of political engagement will continue to give direction to the relationship in the coming years.

“The relationship with Italy is growing. Last year it was elevated to what is called a strategic partnership.Opportunities and areas where we can see more engagement is the political dialogue. The two leaders have met already three times. This high level of political engagement will continue to give direction to the relationship in the next years…Defence and security will be an important pillar that we want to build here. We are looking at cooperation in critical technologies. We are looking at linking the defence industries of the two countries and also maritime cooperation…,” she said.

In terms of trade ties between the nations, Rao said that the interaction has to be something more contemporary to look at supply chains.

“In trade and investment, we want to again move away from the traditional goods and services-based interaction to something more contemporary to look at supply chains,” she said.

On the Indian diaspora there, as well as the focus of Italy in terms of its bilateral partnership with India, the envoy said, “We have a big Indian diaspora here, but we do not have a very diverse group in terms of the fields they are working in… The last one is our strategic convergences and outlooks. Italy has been focusing more on the Indo-Pacific. They have joined some of the key strategic initiatives which India is leading, including India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, the Global Biofuels Alliance and International Solar Alliance…”

The Indian Ambassador further said that PM Modi will also follow up on some of the key issues that were there during India’s G20 presidency.

“It is an important visit. Firstly, it is an opportunity for the prime minister to play an important role in one of the global platforms. It also marks continuity because he had participated in the G7 summit last year,” the ambassador said.

Notably, India has been invited to the G7 Summit as an outreach country.

PM Modi is set to visit Italy to participate in the annual summit of G7 advanced economies, marking his first international trip since beginning his third consecutive term in office.

The G7 summit will take place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13-15.

India’s participation at this G7 Summit acquires particular salience in the context of India’s presidency of the G20 in last September, where India took a leading role in building global consensus on several contentious issues.

India has so far organized two sessions of the Voice of the Global South Summit, which have been aimed at bringing the interests, priorities, and concerns of the Global South on the global stage. (ANI)

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A 41-year-old homeless Sri Lankan, who was already known to the authorities and was illegally residing in Naples, Italy, has been arrested for attacking a fellow Sri Lankan with a bladed weapon on Sunday (June 16). 

According to Italian media, IL Mattino, the Carabinieri of the Centro company intervened on Via Francesco Saverio Correra following a report of an injured person last afternoon. 

The victim – a 44-year-old Sri Lankan – was struck multiple times, presumably with a bladed weapon, three of the wounds were large and severe: the base of the neck, chest, and right thigh. The 44-year-old was transferred to the Pellegrini hospital where he is still under observation.

The investigations by the Carabinieri of the operational unit of the company concluded last night, resulting in the arrest of a 41-year-old homeless Sri Lankan who was already known to the authorities and was illegally residing in the country.

The detainee, transferred to prison at the disposal of the Neapolitan judicial authority, faces charges of attempted murder. 

The investigations conducted by the Carabinieri in synergy with the prosecutor’s office, through the analysis of surveillance systems and the collection of on-site testimonies, allowed the reconstruction of the incident. 

According to the IL Mattino, there would have been a heated argument between the two probably over a disputed woman, and the quarrel would have culminated in the assault. (Newswire)

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Two Sri Lankans who had attempted to flee to Italy using forged visa documents were apprehended at the Katunayake Airport on Sunday (Dec 03), it was reported. 

The suspects are a man aged 35 years and a woman aged 25 years, who are residents of Wathupitiwala in Nittambuwa.

They had attempted to travel to Italy via Doha, Qatar last morning, but had been arrested after suspicions arose about the documents handed over to the Qatar Airlines officials for clearance.

The suspects had been handed over to the Immigration and Emigration Department officials after which their visas were found to be forged. 

Interrogation of the suspects revealed that they had paid Rs. 08 million to a broker to obtain the fake visa and that the broker had dropped them off at the airport. 

The suspects have been apprehended and handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department at the Katunayake Airport for further investigations. (NewsWire)

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in Rome has refuted recent reports on the validity of Sri Lankan driving licences in Italy.

Issuing a special notice, the Embassy stated that the reports on mass media and social media regarding the recognition of Sri Lankan valid driving licences in the Italian territory are inconsistent.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Rome further stated that the renewal of the Bilateral Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Driving Licences between Sri Lanka and Italy is still under process.

The Sri Lankan Community in Italy will be duly notified once the agreement is finalized, the Embassy added. (NewsWire)

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An Italian city famous for its beauty is banning selfies at popular spots with jaw-dropping views to prevent tourists from lingering and clogging its narrow streets.

Portofino, which is a town of approximately 500 people southeast of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, has introduced no-waiting zones in the town where tourists are prohibited from taking pictures, according to Fox News.

Those who spend too much time in the zones could be fined €275, or roughly $305, the outlet reported.

The selfie ban comes amid what Portofino Mayor Matteo Viacava described as “anarchic chaos” caused by tourists who snarl traffic and block streets to take pictures in the small city, which is a coastal fishing community renowned for its colorful buildings.

The prohibition first went into effect amid a swell of tourism during Easter weekend, and the measures are slated to continue from morning to 6 p.m. until October as tourists pour into Portofino throughout the summer months.

Thousands of tourists visit Portofino every year, and celebrities also frequent the destination, with the Kardashians and Beyoncé among those spotted there recently.

Selfie bans have been introduced in other cities and countries in response to tourism, such as portions of the U.K.’s Tower of London, which bans selfies for security reasons near the crown jewels housed there.

In the U.S., California and New York have prohibited selfies in zoos and other places with wild animals. (Fox News)

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The Government of Italy has made preparations to accept applications for jobs offered to non-European countries from the 27th of March 2023, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) stated.

The SLBFE said in a statement that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Italy has officially informed the SLBFE in this regard.

Accordingly, the jobs are offered under the three categories of seasonal workers, non-seasonal workers, and self-employed workers.

The SLBFE further stated that suitable candidates can apply for the jobs which include truck drivers, electricians, and machine operators, as well as those in the construction, hotel, food, Naval, tourism, and agricultural sectors.

Italy is offering 82,702 employment opportunities to non-European countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Those interested can apply for the jobs via the website https://www.anpal.gov.it/assumere-lavoratori-non-comunitari-anno-2023 from 27th March 2023. (NewsWire)

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