Education, Health and Vocational Training sectors:

Commonwealth countries to study Lanka's success

Sandasen Marasinghe and Rasika Somaratne

Several sessions in connection with Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference were held in the morning yesterday. During the Session on Education, Health and Vocational Training, most countries requested for a chance to study the success achieved by Sri Lanka in these fields.

They also suggested that the knowledge of Sri Lanka and other developed nations in these areas, be shared among other countries in the Commonwealth.

"The majority of the Commonwealth countries stood against the motion 'Should the Commonwealth Establish a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights' yesterday when it was taken up for deliberation," said Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Chandima Weerakkody.

He made this observation at a press conference at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall to brief on developments at the Conference.

He also said Great Britain, Canada and Australia and very few Sri Lankan Parliamentarians representing the Opposition stood in favour of the motion.

He said the member countries opposed the motion, maintained that the CPA should exist for mutual understanding among the member countries.

When questioned by the media, Deputy Speaker Weerakkody stated that Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe, Opposition MPs Jayalath Jayawardena, John Amarathunga, and TNA MP Sumanthiran stood in favour of the motion on 'Should the Commonwealth Establish a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights'.

The Deputy Speaker also said the Sri Lankan branch as the host country began its work for the CPC a year ago and 'we told all the delegates and participants that we could arrange a tour to have firsthand experience on reconciliation, reconstruction and developments taking place in the North and East of the country.

Around 60 delegates have expressed their wish to visit the area.

He also said 'we never try to hide anything from anybody. However, we are not only prepared to show the delegates where the conflict took place and also the reconciliation, resettlement and development programmes taking place in the post conflict era in those areas.

"We have to showcase developments in the school and health sectors.

The Deputy Speaker said those who visit selected areas would travel on their own expense as any local or foreign tourist does and they do not need any special permission to do so as any other tourist coming from anywhere in the world.

External Affairs Minister G L Peiris and Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu also participated in the occasion.