Cabinet nod for Parliamentarian forum here

Nadira GUNATILLAKE

Cabinet approval has been granted to hold the 33rd Annual Forum of the Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) in Sri Lanka from October 28 to 30.

The joint Cabinet Memorandum in this regard was presented by Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, acting Media Minister and acting Cabinet spokesperson Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.

Addressing the weekly cabinet press briefing held at the Government Information Department auditorium yesterday, Minister Abeywardena said the PGA is the world’s only international organization comprising democratically elected national legislators. Its network includes 1,350 Parliamentarians from 105 countries from both the government and Opposition parties.

According to the Minister, its concerns include peacemaking and peacekeeping, sustainable development and population, human rights and the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions and women’s empowerment.

The event would be evidence of the peace and stability that exists in Sri Lanka with the dawn of permanent peace and accelerated development. It would also provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen relations with many foreign countries, Minister Abeywardena added.