Chamal congratulates India’s new counterpart

Tuesday, 10 June 2014 00:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has congratulated Indian Lok Sabha’s new speaker Sumitra Mahan on her appointment. In his congratulatory letter, Rajapaks has said he was delighted to learn of Sumitra’s election to the high office of Speaker of the Lok Sabha of India. “The Hon. Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka join me in extending warmest congratulations and sincere good wishes to you as you assume the important task of guiding the affairs of the Lok Sabha over the next ·five years,” Speaker has said.

“Your strong commitment to principled politics and the dynamic role you have played in the development of India during your eight consecutive terms, as the longest serving lady parliamentarian has earned you unrivaled stature in Indian politics. Your unanimous election by the Assembly, bears ample testimony to the profound esteem and respect you are held in by its Members,” Rajapaksa added. The Lankan Speaker in his letter emphasized that India and Sri Lanka share a special bond which spans centuries. Bound by ancient cvilisational links, our ties have stood the test of time, and blossomed into an all encompassing relationship. The vibrant relations between our Legislatures contribute immensely towards the consolidation of the friendship between our two people,” Rajapaksa said adding “Our constant interactions within regional and international fora continue to be important mechanisms for collaboration.” Speaker has said he looks forward to meeting Sumitra to further enhance engagement bilaterally and within the frameworks of SAARC, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. “In this context, I am pleased to extend to you a cordial invitation to visit Sri Lanka at a mutually convenient time,” Speaker Rajapaksa has said in the letter to his Indian counterpart.