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Parliament of the European Union can help the Efforts of Sri Lanka in Rebuilding the Country, says the Deputy Speaker of Sri Lanka Parliament

At the invitation extended by the Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia (DSAS) of the European Parliament, a cross party delegation from Sri Lanka led by Hon. Chandima Weerakkody, MP, Deputy Speaker and comprising Hon. Muthu Sivalingam, MP, Deputy Minister of Economic Development representing the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Hon. Sudath Neranjan Wickremasinghe, MP, of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Hon. Eran Wickramaratne, MP, of the United National Party (UNP), Hon. Sunil Handunneththi, MP, of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) visited the European Parliament in Brussels. During their five-days official visit from 27-31 May, the delegation also held a wide range of discussions with the elected members of the European Parliament and officials of other key EU institutions. The Head of Mission to the European Union, Ambassador P.M. Amza and the officials of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels as well as Mr. Neil Iddawala, Deputy Secretary General of Parliament associated with the delegation during their meetings.

On Wednesday 29th May, the Deputy Speaker and his delegation attended the South Asia Delegation meeting of the EU Parliament that was dedicated to engage with the visiting Sri Lankan Parliamentary Group. Addressing the elected members of the South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament, officials and diplomatic representatives of the South Asian countries, the Deputy Speaker said that, their visit is taking place as an exchange to the two previous visits undertaken by the South Asia Delegation to Sri Lanka in 2011 and 2012 respectively, and also as a part of the ongoing dialogue between the two law-making bodies, as well as between Sri Lanka and the European Union.

He explained in detail the post conflict developments in Sri Lanka during the last four years, which has shown remarkable strides in resettlement of over 290,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), demining, reconstructing the war torn North and the East as well as in rehabilitating the former combatants and in implementation of the language policy. He also thanked the European Union for the humanitarian and development assistance rendered to Sri Lanka. The members of the Sri Lanka delegation also added their views and engaged in an open dialogue on a variety of issues of mutual interest and concern.

The Deputy Speaker, while thanking Ms. Jean Lambert, MEP, the Chair of the South Asia Delegation for their invitation to the Sri Lankan Parliament to visit the EU Parliament said, Sri Lanka in principle welcomes the proposed visit to Sri Lanka by a similar cross-party delegation from the South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament this year.

The Sri Lanka Parliamentary delegation on Tuesday 28th May had a fruitful discussion on a wide range of issues with the "Friends of Sri Lanka Group in the EU Parliament", hosted by Mr. Geoffrey Van Orden, MEP, the Chair of the Group. The delegation shared their views candidly on recent developments in the country on human rights, rule of law, and governance. The Chair of the Friends Group said it is their wish that the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be a success and that it would help in projecting the country in correct perspective.

The delegation also had bilateral meetings with Mr. Oldrich Viasak, MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament, Mr. Elmar Brock, MEP, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) of the EU Parliament, and also with Mr. Robert Sturdy, MEP and the Vice Chair of the International Trade Committee (INTA) & the President of the EU-Sri Lanka Business Council.

The Sri Lanka Parliamentary delegation on Monday 27th May, had a cordial meeting with Ms. Miichele Coninsx, the President of the EUROJUST, an institution based in The Hague. It comprises legal experts including prosecutors, magistrates, police officers from the national legal authorities of each of the 27 EU Countries, and is extending judicial cooperation among the Member States in combating trans-border crimes including countering terrorism.

During their visit to Luxembourg on the 30th May, the delegation learnt about the work of the judicial arm of the European Union- the European Court of Justice (ECJ), and its contribution in redressing legal disputes and grievances arising out of the decisions of the European Union and its legislations. They paid a courtesy call on Hon. Koen Lenaerts, Vice-President and the Deputy Chief Justice of the ECJ. They also had an engagement with the European Investment Bank officials discussing matters of mutual interest in the field of investment and finances.

On the last day of their official visit on Friday 31st May, the Deputy Speaker and his delegation visited the Federal Parliament of the Kingdom of Belgium and was warmly received by Hon. Andre Flahaut, the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives, of the Federal Parliament. This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Belgium.

The delegation from Sri Lanka Parliament on the evening of 26th May, graced the Vesak Day celebrations hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka at the Sri Lanka Residence and met with the Sri Lankan community living in Belgium and Luxembourg attending the ceremony.

Embassy of Sri Lanka
Brussels

31st May 2013