According to the national policy, mental health services in Sri Lanka are supposed to be organized at the local level. In line with the policy, a comprehensive and community based mental health service is to be established. Although a lot has been improved in Badulla and Monaragala Districts, the Mental Health Service is not yet satisfactory at the territorial level. The local health authorities, with the national support, have started many initiatives and activities, but still require support and a strategic plan to make the service accessible locally. The local health authorities have therefore expressed much enthusiasm at the prospect of a first delegation on mental health coming from Italy to Uva and are very keen on the exchange of experience on the discipline. Thirty years ago the Italian psychiatric reform law made radical changes to the whole concept of Italian mental health care. The new law put the community care into the centre – thus Italy became the first developed country to base its mental health care on a community network of mental health facilities. The delegation will be able to share this experience with the Sri Lankan authorities. The participants of the mission are: Ms. Antonia Tamantini, Board Director of Mental Health Department (Local health Authority) Ms. Anna Toni, Responsible for social services Ms. Teresa La Ferla, researcher of Perugia’s University Mental Hospital under the Mental Health Department. After meeting the National Ministry of Health and the WHO, the mental health delegation will proceed to Uva Province where several meetings, visits and workshops are organized in order to better understand the current set up in the two Districts. This will allow exchanging of ideas, knowledge and experience on a community-based approach to Mental Health Services, and throughout the discussions potential for further collaboration between the regional actors will be identified.