Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakody told journalists that Sri Lanka had a good track record in these areas but any of the delegates were welcome to make their personal comments on this matter.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa who also addressed the news conference endorsed this view and said the conference would be a tremendous opportunity for Sri Lanka to showcase its achievements and its potential especially in this post-war period.

He said at this conference opposition political party MPs would be given the opportunity to resolve whatever issues they had.

“We expect the opposition MPs to contribute towards the success of this conference by sharing their views on Parliament’s role in strengthening democracy. This will be the major focus at this year’s conference while another will be its role in conflict resolution,” the Speaker said.

The theme of this year’s CPA conference is, ‘Ensuring a relevant commonwealth for the future’. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa is billed to take over as CPA Chairman with President Mahinda Rajapaksa as co-patron.

Several cultural shows have been organised as a part of the event beginning from today with the Executive committee meeting of the Small Branches Conference and the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians meeting.

The 58th CPA conference will be officially opened at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on Tuesday. Regional group meetings will be held at the BMICH.

Source: Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka