Thai PM to address Parliament on May 31

Sandasen Marasinghe and Irangika Range

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will address the Sri Lankan Parliament on May 31, Parliamentary sources said. Prime Minister Shinawatra is scheduled to arrive in the country on May 30 for an official tour and will be the third female state leader to address the Lankan Parliament, according to Parliament sources.

Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher have also addressed the Sri Lankan Parliament.

Other state leaders who had addressed the Lankan Parliament were Sri Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shasthri of India and Thakshin Shinawatra of Thailand.

Thai Premier Shinawatra is scheduled to address the House at 2.45 pm on May 31, Parliament sources said adding that a welcome ceremony is being organised under the instructions and supervision of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. A special seat for Premier Shinwatra would be set up in the Chamber near the Speaker's chair.

Religious leaders, Chief Justice, Judges of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, members of the Diplomatic Corps would be invited to the public gallery, sources said adding that security arrangements in and around the Parliamentary complex are being organised.

In addition to Premier Shinawatra, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Leader of the House Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva are scheduled to address the House on that day, sources said.