Bolzano delegation in Sri Lanka

A delegation from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano headed by its President Dr. Luis Durnwalder was warmly welcomed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees last week.

The delegation is on a week-long visit to the island at the invitation of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.

The delegation is considering, investing in a project to build a hotel school in Hambantota, and has inspected three potential sites for the project.

The province already funds two projects in Sri Lanka - a tsunami housing scheme in Panadura and a development project at Meegaswewa and Medirigiriya. The delegation has travelled to various parts of the island, including Panadura, Hambantota and Polonnaruwa and has visited the Hambantota harbour and carrier service centre, the Mattala airport and the Export Production Village at Tissamaharama. They have also called on the Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa and attended a dinner hosted by Speaker Rajapaksa.

Other members of the delegation are Minister of the Provincial Government of Skilled Crafts, Industry, Trade, Mobility and Provincial Personnel Dr. Thomas Widmann, Director of the Emma Hellenstainer, Provincial Vocational School for Catering and Nutritional Professions Dr. Brigitte Gasser and President of the World Fair Trade Organization Dr. Rudi Dalvai.

Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris, Monitoring MP of the External Affairs Ministry Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, MP Namal Rajapaksa and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Karunatilaka Amunugama also joined the discussion with the Bolzano delegation.