US supports training for Parliament Staff

On January 28-29, 50 Research Assistants from the Sri Lankan Parliament participated in a US-supported workshop to help Members of Parliament address the concerns of their constituencies. This training, conducted in both Sinhala and Tamil, is part of the approximately Rs. 73 million (UAS$509,000) project from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist the Sri Lankan Parliament become more effective and responsive to the people they represent.

"Developing the skills of Parliamentary staff helps MPs better serve the people," said US Ambassador Atul Keshap. "In turn, this will foster and strengthen the principles of good governance."

The training last week was the second in a series of workshops conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media. Parliamentary staff received technical assistance on financial planning, budgets, research, public relations and professional development.