COLOMBO : The Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Colombo and Keells Supermarkets, officially launched the Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World 2026 (Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo), an initiative dedicated to promoting Italian culinary heritage, authentic food products and the culture and traditions behind Italian cuisine.
The press conference took place on 13 November 2026 at Villa Roma, the Italian Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo, bringing together representatives of the media and selected influencers to celebrate Italian gastronomy and highlighting the availability of Italian products in the Sri Lankan market.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka H.E. Damiano Francovigh said the initiative reflects Italy’s commitment to promoting its culinary heritage while strengthening economic and cultural ties with Sri Lanka.
“The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World celebrates Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage and the quality of its food products. Through our collaboration with Keells, we are delighted to introduce the first islandwide Italian food tasting programme, bringing authentic Italian flavours closer to Sri Lankan consumers. The newly opened Colombo Desk of the Italian Trade Agency will further strengthen commercial relations, creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries,” he said.
The programme included a live cooking demonstration by Rome-based Italian Chef Nicky Brian Perera, whose own story weaves Sri Lankan roots through the Italian culinary heritage. Chef Nicky, who became very famous in Italy after reaching the semifinals of MasterChef Italia in 2022, showcased the preparation of an Italian dish using products available at Keells Supermarkets, highlighting how Italian recipes can be recreated using products accessible to local consumers.
The initiative will continue from the 13th to the 19th November, with dedicated Italian food corners and tasting activities at 11 selected Keells Supermarkets across Sri Lanka, so shoppers all over Sri Lanka can taste Italy for themselves.
The participating stores are Keells Union Place-Colombo 2, Gampaha, Kalutara South, Kandy – Peradeniya Road, Kegalle, Kurunegala – Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Matara – Kumaratunga Mawatha, Ambalangoda and Ratnapura.
The initiative also highlighted the work of the Italian Trade Agency in Sri Lanka to promote Italian products and businesses, strengthen commercial connections, and introduce local consumers to the distinctive qualities of Italian food and culinary traditions.
Chairperson of John Keells Group PLC, Krishan Balendra highlighted the importance of international partnerships in strengthening commercial relationships between countries, noting that the collaboration would create new business opportunities while introducing Sri Lankan consumers to the diversity and quality of authentic Italian cuisine.
Through this collaboration, ITA, the Embassy of Italy and Keells aim to raise awareness of Italian food products available in Sri Lanka and encourage greater appreciation of Italy’s culinary culture, renowned for its quality ingredients, regional diversity and rich gastronomic traditions.
The occasion also served to formally announce the opening of the Colombo Desk of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), marking an important step in strengthening economic and commercial relations between Italy and Sri Lanka. The Desk, recently opened at the Italian Embassy in Colombo, supports the promotion of Italian products and businesses in the Sri Lankan market, facilitates connections between Italian companies and local importers, distributors and business partners, and provides information and assistance to companies interested in exploring commercial opportunities between the two countries.
