A five member Australian parliamentary delegation is currently visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. The delegation which arrived on December 8, 2011, is led by Maria Vamvakinou MP, of the ruling Labour Party. She’s accompanied by another Labour Party MP, Harry Jenkins who till recently was the speaker of the House of Representatives. Three other members from the opposition Liberal Party are also part of the delegation.
The Australian MPs called on Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa at the Parliament today. Both sides welcomed the opportunity to enhance cooperation between the two respective Parliaments and to broaden the dialogue between law makers of the two countries. The Australian delegation also held talks with the Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the president of the Sri Lanka - Australia Parliamentary Friendship Association, MP Thilanga Sumathipala,. Later in their visit the delegates are due to call on the External Affairs Minister, Prof. G.L Peiris.

This is seen as an opportunity for Australian lawmakers to witness first-hand the reconciliation process that is underway in Sri Lanka and assess the reconstruction and development that is taking place in the country since the end of the conflict. Australia has offered significant developmental aid to Sri Lanka in recent years often contributing more than the stipulated amounts in the federal budget.

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Australia was instrumental in organising this visit and Sri Lanka’s envoy in Canberra, Admiral (Rtd.) Thisara Samarasinghe is currently in the country to associate himself with the visit.

Ministry of External Affairs
Colombo
9th December 2011