The Sri Lanka – Belarus and Sri Lanka – Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Associations have been established for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka, further strengthening Sri Lanka’s parliamentary diplomacy and fostering international cooperation.
The two meetings to establish the associations were held last week (09) at the Parliament premises under the patronage of the Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne. Several Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Members of Parliament, along with the Acting Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, participated.
At the meeting convened to inaugurate the Sri Lanka – Belarus Parliamentary Friendship Association, Minister of Environment Dammika Patabendi was elected as the President. MP Pathmanathan Sathiyalingam was elected as the Secretary, while MP Sena Nanayakkara was elected as the Treasurer of the Association. The Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to Sri Lanka, Mikhail Kasko, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Meanwhile, at the revival meeting of the Sri Lanka – Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Association, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi was elected as the President of the Association. Deputy Minister Arkam Ilyas was elected as the Secretary, and MP Padmasiri Bandara was elected as the Treasurer. The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka, Andalib Elias, who participated as the Guest of Honour.
During both meetings, discussions were focused on the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding collaboration between Sri Lanka and the respective countries.
It was emphasized that the establishment of these Friendship Associations marks a significant milestone in enhancing parliamentary diplomacy, promoting mutual understanding, and creating new avenues for cooperation in areas such as trade, education, culture, environment, and people-to-people ties. (Newswire)
