Commonwealth Parliamentary conference opens in Sri Lanka

The 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Annual Conference 2012 opened in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo this morning. The apex event of the CPA will be held from 7th to 15th September in Colombo with the participation of approximately 800 members of parliament and Speakers representing 179 regions of 54 commonwealth countries.

The official opening of the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference by President Mahinda Rajapaksa will take place on September 11th at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.

Addressing a press briefing on the conference this morning at the Speaker's official residence, President Rajapaksa said the summit will be the best opportunity for Sri Lanka to exhibit its vision and the peaceful environment in the country to the international community.

Expressing his views speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said that all public representatives in parliament will benefit from this important opportunity.

The conference under the theme 'Ensuring a Relevant Commonwealth for the Future' would discuss the common problems of the zonal member countries and would find solutions collaboratively, the Speaker said.

Among the issues that will be discussed are rule of law and human rights, role of parliaments, conflict resolution and peace- building, gender-responsive governance, terrorism, and youth unemployment.

Sri Lanka is hosting the CPA conference for the third time. Colombo has hosted the CPA Conference in 1974 and 1995.