A significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s cultural and educational landscape was marked with the grand opening of the Sapientia Language Institute (SLI), the nation’s first dedicated Italian language institute led by a qualified native Italian teacher.

The inaugural ceremony, held in Colombo, brought together diplomats, senior government officials, and distinguished personalities from academia and the corporate world.

The institute is an initiative by Deum Consulting (Pvt) Ltd, co-founded by Mrs. Deepani Gunathilaka and Mrs. Devika Perera, whose vision is to establish Sapientia as a centre of excellence for Italian language and cultural studies. Heading the institute, Ms. Valentina Gonsal underscored in her speech the importance of language as a bridge between nations, emphasizing Sapientia’s mission to foster deeper understanding and collaboration between Sri Lanka and Italy.

Former Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris graced the event as a guest speaker, commending the institute’s contribution to promoting educational and cultural exchange.

Sapientia offers CEFR-aligned Italian language programmes from beginner to advanced levels under the academic direction of its Italian Head of Studies. The institute aims to soon become an authorised examination centre for globally recognised certifications such as CILS, CELI, PLIDA, and CERT.IT.

In a noteworthy initiative, Sapientia also announced free Italian language training for officers from key state institutions, including the Sri Lanka Tourism Police, Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, Tourism Promotion Bureau, Export Development Board, and the Board of Investment. This gesture recognises their vital role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s ties with Italy and the broader European community.

The launch concluded with a celebratory reception attended by diplomats and institutional representatives, symbolising a new era of linguistic and cultural exchange.

With the opening of the Sapientia Language Institute, Colombo takes a meaningful step toward becoming a regional hub for Italian language and culture, reinforcing the timeless truth that language unites people across borders.