Lankan MPs visit National Parliament of Switzerland in Bern

Sri Lanka delegation in Bern

A cross-party Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation led by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva was hosted by Switzerland President of the National Council Christa Markwalder, at the Switzerland National Parliament in Bern on 26 October 2016. 

During the official meeting, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva briefed the Swiss delegation regarding the steps taken to strengthen the parliament through constitutional amendments in recent times including the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, paving the way for the establishment of the independent commissions, as well as the proposed Constitution and the electoral reforms currently under deliberation. Noting the close bilateral relations between the two countries, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva called for cooperation between the two parliaments in the years ahead.  

The President of the National Council Markwalder, welcoming the Sri Lanka delegation recalled her recent successful visit to Sri Lanka and her interactions with the Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and the Parliament. 

Markwalder said Switzerland stands ready to assist in strengthening parliamentary democracy in Sri Lanka including providing technology, training and capacity building. The Swiss delegation explained the Swiss parliamentary structure and its functions to the Sri Lanka delegation.

The meeting was followed by an official lunch hosted in honour of the Sri Lankan delegation by Markwalder. 

Members of Parliament Vijitha Herath, Rohini Kumari Wijerathna, Velu Kumar, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha/Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Consul-General to Switzerland, Dhammika Dasanayake, Secretary General of Parliament and Shashika Somaratne/Counsellor were associated with Nimal Siripala de Silva. Former Member of the Council of States Markus Stadler and FDFA Human Security Division Senior Advisor Martin Sturzinger.

Parliamentary Services International Relations and Multilingual Section Head Ambassador Claudio Fischer and Parliamentary Services Foreign Policy Advisor Nina Wirth, were associated with Christa Markwalder at the discussion.