A working committee has been appointed pertaining to the future activities of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, established under the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Members of Parliament Sena Nanayakkara, Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Hiruni Wijesinghe, Nilanthi Kottahachchi, Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Susantha Dodawatta, Ruwan Mapalagama, and Dinesh Hemantha have been appointed as members of this committee.

According to a Parliament statement, the purpose of this working committee is to implement the programmes expected to be carried out by the Caucus for the advancement of the arts and cultural sectors of the country and to obtain ideas and proposals from experts and scholars in the respective fields for that purpose.

The working committee was appointed during the meeting of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs, held in Parliament last week (22), under the chairmanship of MP Jagath Manuwarna, Chair of the Caucus.

At this meeting, lengthy discussions were held regarding the steps that could be taken to uplift the cultural, literary, and arts sectors of the country, to promote the development of artists and professionals engaged in those fields, and on the necessity of fostering an interest among the general public and children in art appreciation.

It was also proposed by the members that programmes should be initiated to create awareness among Members of Parliament and the parliamentary staff regarding the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs. (Newswire)

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MP Jagath Manuwarna has been elected as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs.

At the inaugural meeting of the Caucus held in Parliament today, Manuwarna’s name was proposed as the Chair of the Caucus by MP Ruwan Mapalagama and seconded by MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva.

Meanwhile, MPs Ruwan Mapalagama, Thushari Jayasingha, Susantha Dodawatta, Sugath Wasantha de Silva, and Nilanthi Kottahachchi were elected as Deputy Co-Chairs of the Caucus.

According to a Parliament statement, it was decided that the Parliamentary Caucus on Arts and Cultural Affairs would meet again on 22 July to discuss future activities. (Newswire)

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Two Sri Lankan female Parliamentarians have participated in a workshop on Gender-Sensitive Legislative Drafting to enhance gender equality in the legislative process, held at the Parliamentary Services Institute in Pakistan.

According to a Sri Lanka Parliament statement, the event, held on 14 and 15 December, was chaired by the Secretary to the Pakistan Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Shahida Rehmani.

The workshop was attended by the Deputy Co-Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus, Chamindranee Kiriella and Member of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Lakmali Hemachandra, representing Sri Lanka.

The workshop focused on International Standards and Legal Frameworks, Best Practices from Region, Problem Identification and Gap Analysis, Essential Elements of pro-women laws and The Way Forward to Achieving Gender Equality through Legislation. The workshop also provided an understanding of the drafting of bills and their techniques, along with practical exercises.  

The workshop was also attended by Zainab Gimba, Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, and Asma Rasheed, Member of Parliament from Maldives. (Newswire)

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The Caucus of Medical Parliamentarians has agreed in principle to the proposals put forth by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) aimed at enhancing the working conditions and recognition of medical officers in Sri Lanka.

According to a Parliament statement, the Caucus of Medical Parliamentarians convened under the patronage of MP Prof. Channa Jayasumana on August 06 to discuss several crucial proposals put forth by the GMOA.

During the meeting, the GMOA presented key proposals, including the introduction of a duty covering-up allowance for specialist-grade medical officers and grade medical officers, as well as the establishment of an exclusive service category and salary code under the designation of the Sri Lanka Medical Service.

The Caucus of Medical Parliamentarians expressed its support for these proposals, agreeing to them in principle. The Caucus also committed to forwarding these recommendations to the Ministry of Health for further consideration and implementation.

As per the Parliament statement, Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana and State Minister Seetha Arambepola have also agreed to these proposals in principle, signalling a collaborative effort to advance the interests of medical professionals in Sri Lanka.

The GMOA has expressed its appreciation for the activities of the Caucus in supporting the development of the health sector and the development of medical officers in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Former Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, Karu Jayasuriya has been unanimously appointed as the Chair of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus. 

According to a Parliament statement, the appointment was made during the first meeting of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus held at Parliament recently under the Chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’s name was proposed by the former Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala and former Member of Parliament Sumedha G. Jayasena. 

Meanwhile, former member of Parliament Shantha Premaratne was unanimously appointed as the convener of the Caucus.

A discussion was also held at length regarding issues faced by the former members of Parliament, during which the Secretary General of the Parliament said the Secretariat of the Parliament is working to resolve such concerns.

The Speaker pointed out the importance of contributing the knowledge and experience of former parliamentarians for the future development of the country.

The Members of Parliament also agreed to form a constitution for the Caucus and to form sub-committees to contribute to the development of the country by utilizing the international relations and political experience of former parliamentarians.

Accordingly, sub-committees on welfare affairs, constitutional affairs, political affairs, and economic and international affairs were formed. (Newswire)

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