Speaker of Parliament Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has announced plans to establish a Parliamentary Education and Research Centre aimed at supporting Members of Parliament, Provincial Council representatives, Local Government officials, and researchers. The proposal was shared during a recent meeting with UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche and UN Peace and Development Resident Advisor Patrick McCarthy at the Parliament premises. Parliament Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera was also in attendance.
The proposed centre would serve as a key platform to enhance legislative capacity, democratic understanding, and evidence-based policymaking. Speaker Wickramaratne emphasized the importance of not only empowering elected representatives with knowledge and research resources but also the need to establish a dedicated legal division within Parliament to strengthen its legislative and oversight functions.
The meeting included broader discussions on:
- The performance of the Tenth Parliament.
- A new programme to promote democracy and good governance.
- Enhanced cooperation between the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the United Nations.
- National strategies for combating bribery and corruption.
- Innovative approaches to promote national reconciliation.
UN Coordinator Franche also updated the Speaker on the forthcoming visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, reflecting continued international engagement in Sri Lanka’s democratic and human rights journey.
