India and Sri Lanka revive Parliament Friendship Association

India and Sri Lanka have revived their “Parliamentary Friendship Association” for which Minister Chamal Rajapaksa has been selected as its president.

Key Points

• This association was there in the past.
• It is being revived for current Parliament which was elected in August 2020.
• At the revival event, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris noted the “close civilisational ties” between India & Sri Lanka. He observed that greatest gift of India to Sri Lanka was Buddhism.
• This association will help in “reinvigorating” Parliamentary exchanges and strengthening bilateral ties between both the countries.

Background

Sri Lanka formed India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship group, after deciding to buy fertiliser from India on November 11, 2021. The Indian Parliament proposed to form Parliamentary Friendship Group with the friendly nations to strengthen the bilateral relations.

India-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship group

• This association comprises of senior members of Lankan parliament to rejuvenate ties in spite of its close relations with China.
• This association was established for 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka.
• It was established at the Parliament complex in the presence of Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the Speaker of Parliament.

About meeting at Parliament complex

This meeting was attended by about 100 Members of Parliament. It was attended by several MPs, Ministers, State Ministers. During the meeting Chambal Rajapaksa was elected as the President of this Association.