The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan conducted a mobile consular service as a community outreach programme in Genoa on 25 March 2023.
Over 100 Sri Lankans participated in the mobile service to avail of consular services and to obtain advice regarding consular matters. The mobile service was a community outreach programme and a gesture of goodwill towards the Sri Lankan community in Genoa which is predominantly Tamil.
The Consulate General solicited the involvement of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and the church frequented by overseas Sri Lankans in Genoa in order to ensure the success of the event. Sri Lankan community members volunteered at the mobile service including as interpreters and assisted the visitors to the service with documentation.
Consul General Dilani Weerakoon and the staff of the Consulate General also took part in the Vinayaga Chathurthi Pooja at Arulmigu Sri Sithi Vinayagar Alayam Ganapathi Kovil in Genoa which is managed by Sri Lankan devotees. The Consul General undertook to offer a Ganapathy statue to the temple. Addressing the gathering, she appreciated the assistance received from President of Arulmigu Sri SithiVinayagar Alayam Temple Suppiah Kurupharanthas for the mobile consular service and stated that the Consulate General looks forward to collaborating with the kovil for community welfare and the promotion of culture.
The Consul General also visited Sambudu Viharaya in Genoa and made an offering of a Buddha statue to the Ven. Mahauswewa Gnanathilaka Thero. The temple also conducts meditation programmes in Genoa which are popular both among Sri Lankans and Italians and moreover also as a community center which promotes Sri Lankan culture.
Consul General Weerakoon also met with Chaplain for the Sri Lankan Community in Genoa Rev. Father Roshan Fernando and assured the Consulate General's support towards religious and community services carried out by the Church.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Milan
06 April 2023
