US officials call on Deputy Speaker

The Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala, M.P., and Senior Members of Parliament met with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal and Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Tom Malinowski at a luncheon meeting held at the Parliament on 13 July.

The Deputy Speaker briefed the delegation of the major decisions and achievements of the Eighth Parliament of Sri Lanka. He explained to the visitors the improvements and the progress made in the Parliamentary systems over the last ten months.  He highlighted the efforts made by the Government of Sri Lanka and its commitment towards good governance, especially in the establishment of, the Independent Commissions as per the 19th Amendment, Fifteen Over-Sight Committees, Public Finance Committee and the reporting systems put in place .He also informed the US representatives of the arrangement with regard to the position of the Opposition Leader from a party (TNA) with only 16 seats in the Parliament. 

Biswal recognised the commitment of the Sri Lanka government and the progress made in this short time, and stated that the U.S. government will definitely continue to support Sri Lanka’s efforts. 

The Deputy Speaker pointed out democracy and good governance was not cheap, and that it needs commitment and consistency which the Sri Lanka government gives leadership to.  Until these efforts are transformed to a reasonable level the economic pressures that the public is undergoing can only be addressed through an enhanced international trade and commerce strategy, which Assistant Secretary Biswal acknowledged.