SL committed to ensure neutrality in its foreign policy – Speaker
Sri Lanka is committed to ensure neutrality in its foreign policy, promoting peace, and eradicating all forms discrimination and strengthen dialogue with stakeholders to elevate cooperation between countries, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said while addressing the First Meeting of the Heads of Parliaments of Member Countries of the Group Friends of Neutrality held in a hybrid format recently.
The meeting was hosted by Turkmenistan Parliament under the theme ‘The role of Parliamentary cooperation in strengthening peace and dialogue’ and Parliament Speakers from several countries, as well as leaders and representatives of international and regional organisations took part in the multilateral meeting.
Speaker Abeywardena also pointed out that the role of Parliaments in building peace and preventing conflict is highly significant. “A democratic and representative political system not only helps prevent unrest but is also key to restoring peace after conflict’’ the Speaker mentioned. Speaker Abeywardena also said that the Parliament and Parliamentarians are using social media to increase public awareness to help form and shape public opinion and to promote inquiries and call for evidence, as social media platforms are places where Parliaments can inform, educate and engage.
Heads of several Parliaments including Belarus, Ghana, Russia, Qatar, Morocco and Kazakhstan addressed the meeting. Video messages from international figures including Secretary General of the Interparliamentary Union, representatives from People’s Republic of China and Uzbekistan were also presented during the meeting. They emphasised the importance of Parliamentary diplomacy as it creates opportunities for dialogue between Parliamentarians.
Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Hansa Abeyrathna and Parliamentary Officer Ranil Buddhika were also present at the meeting.
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