Lanka and its seductive attraction
by Ishara MUDUGAMUWA
[email protected]
The history of tourism in Sri Lanka goes back to the nomadic age. In
that age, people migrated from one place to another in order to earn a
living and discover new places.
Today, the tourism industry has become a major foreign exchange
earner for many countries including Sri Lanka. Due to its scenic
location in the Indian Ocean, foreigners are attracted to the country.
Many well-known visitors like Marco Polo, Iban Bathutha, Robert Knox
were inspired by Sri Lanka impelling them to write profusely on the
`Pearl of the Indian Ocean'. Even today, tourists still throng to Sri
Lanka in increasing numbers. One such admirer of our country is
Prancesco Piazza who visits Sri Lanka for charitable services.
Prancesco Piazza hails from a distinguished family with origins
tracing to the Karugathe town near Milano, Italy. Since 1975, he has
made forty trips to Sri Lanka. During his trips, he has rendered social
service activities by spending his vacation in a meaningful manner and
then returning home with a sense of self-satisfaction, least unconcerned
of any recognition. Though Piazza has travelled to many countries, he
says that he loves Sri Lanka. "During my Thailand tour in 1974, while I
was having dinner with friends and they told me fascinating stories
about Sri Lanka". So taking his friends' advice, Piazza decided to
travel to Sri Lanka and landed here in 1975.
Piazza said "I love Sri Lankan people and I am happy with the
country's progress". During his first visit, he recalled that Colombo
was still a developing city. Asked about whether the current situation
in Sri Lanka has been a cause for concern for tourists, he said "I never
think about the war situation here because I come to Sri Lanka without
any fear". Further, he said that in the near future, we can expect to
see peace in Sri Lanka.
He said that during his childhood, he has embarked on a career in
education, encompassing countries like France, USA and more. With his
travels all around the world for the past 32 years, he has taken an avid
interest in spreading the message of education everywhere.
His charity in helping the poor and the needy to enhance their skills
and knowledge through education has been well known. Piazza pledged that
he will visit Sri Lanka again and assuring that "I will continue to do
social services for as long as I can".
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