58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association parley from Sept 7-15:

‘Ensuring a relevant C’wealth for the future’

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

The 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference will be held in Sri Lanka from September 7 to 15 under the theme “Ensuring a relevant Commonwealth for the future”.

Nearly 800 delegates from 54 Commonwealth countries will attend the conference, the biggest event to be held in Sri Lanka since the three- decade terrorism was eradicated in 2009.

The official opening ceremony of the 58th CPA conference will be held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa on September 11 at 9.30 a.m. Deputy Secretary General of Parliament and the CPA Conference Coordinator Neil Iddawala told the Sunday Observer.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa who is also the President of the CPA will deliver the welcome address at the official opening. A member of the UK House of Commons Sir Alan Haselhurst, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee will also address the opening ceremony.

The South African Speaker will deliver the vote of thanks since South Africa will host the 59th session of the CPA conference, he said.

The delegates will assemble at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre at the BMICH for group meetings and other panel discussions. Secretary General of the CPA Dr. William F. Shija, a former Minister and Member of Tanzanian Parliament will address the opening plenary sessions at the BMICH followed by question and answer sessions.

The CPA will hold its workshops at the BMICH on September 12 on eight topics.