Sri Lanka & India Parliamentary Friendship Association revived

A meeting to revive the Sri Lanka & India Parliamentary Friendship Association was held in Parliament on Wednesday December 1st. The Indian High Commissioner, His Excellency Ashok Kantha attended the event at the invitation of the Speaker, Hon Chamal Rajapakse. The Leader of the House, Hon Nimal Siripala de Silva chaired the meeting and was elected President. The Hon Sarath Amunugama, the Hon Arumugam Thondaman, Mr Sajith Premadasa and Mr R Sambandan were elected Vice Presidents. Hon. Prof Rajiva Wijesinha was elected Secretary, and Hon. Mrs Sudharshani Fernandopulle Asst Secretary, with Hon Rauff Hakeem as Treasurer.

In his opening remarks the President of the Association noted the long legacy of historic links between India and Sri Lanka, with their shared commitment to democracy and non-alignment in foreign policy, and mentioned the importance of such an Association to strengthen ties between the two countries. He expressed his appreciation of the unconditional assistance India had proffered when the country needed it, and in particular the support offered by India after the Tsunami of 2004, even though India too had been badly affected. He noted that more Members of Parliament had attended this inaugural meeting than he had ever noticed before at such an event. These included Govt Chief Whip Hon Dinesh Gunawardena and the Hon Douglas Devananda, UNP Deputy Leader Hon. Karu Jayasuriya and Chief Whip Hon. John Amaratunga, and Hon. Mr. Suresh Premachandra.

It was decided that all those who attended the inaugural meeting should be on the Executive Committee initially, and that there should also be a representative from all political parties in Parliament that had members in the Association.

In his address to the meeting H.E. Ashok Kantha noted that the two countries enjoyed a vibrant and multi-faceted partnership. The challenge now was to derive the full benefits of proximity, enhance connectivity and economic engagement and develop people-to-people contacts in a comprehensive manner.

In mentioning recent developmental assistance to Sri Lanka, he noted that it was entirely in accordance with the priorities and requirements set out by the Government and people of Sri Lanka. He added that, in enhancing the relationship, the two parliaments should play a key role, given that the countries were sister democracies. In noting that the High Commission of India would like to work closely with the Association, he mentioned that he had conveyed an invitation to the Hon Speaker from the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and the Speaker of Lok Sabha to visit India along with a parliamentary delegation

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by the Secretary, which noted India’s commitment to Sri Lanka and its interests in recent years. Whilst affirming its concern for the Tamil people, the Indian government had stood foursquare against terrorism, which was in line with the position of H.E. the Sri Lankan President. Sri Lanka looked forward to further Indian cooperation in fulfilling the President’s programme of ensuring development and equitable empowerment for all Sri Lankans, and it was to be hoped that increased cooperation between Parliamentarians would contribute to this.