INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
A delegation of the Parliament of Sri Lanka led by the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena attended the 148th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary
Union held in Geneva from 23-27 March.The delegation comprised MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Ashok Abeysinghe, Sumith Udukumbura, Manjula
governments and citizens, ensuring that the concerns and perspectives of the people are taken into account in the formulation of foreign
prevention and resolution
By facilitating dialogue and understanding between nations at the legislative level, parliamentary diplomats contribute to creating an
environment conducive to peaceful coexistence, he added.The Speaker has further mentioned that, parliamentary diplomacy is an important
perspective and alternative form of diplomacy
Even if not widely studied yet, parliamentary diplomacy has developed lately by the increasing role of Parliaments and their enrolment in
foreign affairs and issues related to international relations.Focusing on the experiences of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the Speaker has
pointed out that Sri Lanka joined Inter-Parliamentary Union on 9th Feb 1949
Since then, Sri Lanka actively participated in IPU assemblies and Sri Lanka had the opportunity to host several seminars and workshops of
IPU in the past, the speaker added.Further, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations and Consultative Committee on
well as the expenditure estimates of departments and agencies that are implementing foreign policy, Abeywardena has said further in his
address.During the assembly, the Sri Lankan lawmakers attended the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, Standing Committee on
Peace and International Security, Standing Committee on Sustainable Development and Forum of Women Parliamentarians and shared their
experiences and knowledge.
