Italy was attractive to the migrants due to perceived easier employment opportunities and entry, compared to other European countries.

In Rome, Naples and Milan, the Sri Lankans have built up "enlarged families", where jobs are exchanged among relatives and compatriots.

[2] Sociologist Enrica Morlicchio estimated in 1992 that 2⁄3 of the Sri Lankan population in Italy was Sinhalese and Tamils constituted 1⁄3.

[2] The major Sinhalese communities in Italy are located in Lombardy (particularly Milan), Lazio (particularly Rome), Naples, and Sicily (particularly Palermo, Messina and Catania).

But they have also opened businesses such as restaurants, cleaning enterprises (e.g. Cooperativa Multietnica di Pulizie Sud-Est), call centres, video-shops, traditional food shops and minimarkets.