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2011-08-09

News Categories : News 

Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker, assumes Presidency of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)



The Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, was conferred the presidency of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at the conclusion of the 57th Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association which was held in London, United Kingdom, from the 21st - 28th July 2011.

The Hon. Speaker will hold this office until the conclusion of the next Annual CPA Conference to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2012. Addressing the Conference participants, including Speakers, Members and officials of National and Provincial Legislatures of the CPA member countries, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa re-confirmed that Sri Lanka will be hosting the 58th CPA Conference in Colombo from 7th – 15th September 2012 and extended a warm invitation to all member states of the CPA to visit Sri Lanka to attend the forthcoming Conference and enjoy the country’s renowned hospitality.

Proposing the vote of thanks at the closing ceremony, Hon Chamal Rajapaksa thanked the CPA UK Branch, particularly the CPC 2011 Conference team, the outgoing President of the Association, Rt. Hon. John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons and the Directors and Staff of the CPA Headquarters for the excellent arrangements made in organising the Centennial Conference and for the generous hospitality extended to all conference participants from the moment of their arrival in the UK. The Hon. Speaker also thanked Dr. William F. Shija, the Secretary-General of the CPA for the yeoman service rendered to the Association during his tenure to ensure that the CPA remains relevant and well attuned to the modern trends of democratic governance. Bringing his address to an end, the Hon. Speaker once again extended a warm welcome to all Commonwealth Parliamentarians to visit Sri Lanka to participate at CPC 2012. “We as the host Branch are awaiting eagerly to receive you in Colombo with our customary hospitality and I assure you that you will have a memorable stay in Sri Lanka” said the Hon. Speaker. He also made a request from his Commonwealth parliamentary colleagues to extend their support to Sri Lanka in the country’s efforts to consolidate the hard-won peace, and achieve prosperity and development.

A Parliamentary delegation comprising Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa - Speaker, Hon. Nimal Siripala De Silva - Leader of the House, Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, MP - Minister of Plantation Industries, Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe - Leader of the Opposition, Hon. (Dr.) Mrs. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, MP and Hon. M. A. Sumanthiran, MP, represented the CPA Sri Lanka Branch at the CPA Centennial Conference held in London, United Kingdom.


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