A visiting delegation from the European Parliament met with Sri Lankan parliamentary leaders on September 24, 2026, where discussions highlighted appreciation for continued engagement under the European Union’s General Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) framework and its contribution to the island’s socio-economic development and international standards.
During a meeting with the delegation led by Member of the European Parliament Prof. Sven Simon, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne emphasized strengthening parliamentary cooperation.
The Speaker briefed the delegation on national measures regarding law and order, anti-corruption efforts, reconciliation, human rights, increasing women’s representation, and rights for persons with disabilities.
The European Parliament delegation, which included MEP Ralf Seekatz alongside policy advisers from the European People’s Party (EPP) Group, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Singapore, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Brussels, and representatives from the Institute for Democratic Alignment and Governance (IDAG), also held discussions with Deputy Speaker Dr. Rizvie Salih. These talks focused on Sri Lanka’s socio-economic situation, political system, and the constitutional amendment process.
In separate meetings with government and opposition parliamentarians—including Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena, Chandima Hettiarachchi, and Champika Hettiarachchi—the delegation discussed the prevailing political landscape, challenges, democratic institutions, and the background to the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution.
The visiting members also observed proceedings from the Speaker’s Gallery and undertook a guided tour of the Parliament premises. (Newswire)