The Speaker of Parliament of Sri Lanka, (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne, together with Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen, participated in the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and related meetings held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5 to 9 October 2026.
The Sri Lankan delegation actively participated in plenary debates, panel discussions, Standing Committee meetings and thematic workshops, highlighting the country’s initiatives in democratic governance, inclusivity, public accountability and health security.
Addressing the General Assembly under the theme “Enhancing Good Governance and Empowering Communities through Inclusivity, Trust and Opportunities for All,” Speaker (Dr.) Jagath Wickramaratne emphasised that public trust and inclusivity are fundamental to sustainable democracy.
Highlighting developments in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary representation, the Speaker stated that the Tenth Parliament includes 22 women Members of Parliament, representing 9.8 per cent of its membership, including two women representing the Malayagam community. He also noted that, for the first time, a person with a disability is serving in the Tenth Parliament and that this parliamentarian was recently recognised with the 2026 New Parliamentarian Award presented by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
The Speaker outlined the role played by parliamentary mechanisms in promoting legislative equity, transparency and accountability. These include the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, the Parliamentary Caucus for Persons with Disabilities, and oversight committees such as the Committee on Public Finance, the Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee on Public Enterprises.
He also highlighted Sri Lanka’s Open Parliament initiatives, including broadcasting parliamentary debates with sign-language interpretation and opening committee proceedings to the media and civil society. These measures, he noted, help strengthen the relationship between citizens and their elected representatives.
The Sri Lankan delegation also received special recognition at a high-level side event hosted by the IPU African Geopolitical Group titled “From Commitment to Results: African Parliamentary Action for the Three Zeros on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Towards 2030.”
The recognition highlighted the Speaker’s professional medical background and parliamentary leadership in advancing maternal and newborn health, strengthening healthcare systems and promoting the well-being of vulnerable populations.
On the sidelines of the Assembly, the delegation held a consultative meeting with representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), including Mr. Ludy Suryantoro, Head of Multisectoral Engagement for Health Security Preparedness. Discussions focused on strengthening national health security and advancing the WHO Universal Health Preparedness Review.
During the meeting, the Sri Lankan delegation underscored Parliament’s vital role in providing the legislative authority required for preparedness reforms, approving and safeguarding funding through the budgetary process, ensuring effective oversight and accountability, strengthening multisectoral coordination, and protecting the rights and equitable access to services of vulnerable populations.
The delegation also participated in deliberations across the IPU Standing Committees and thematic workshops addressing a range of global challenges. These included parliamentary strategies for inclusive social development, maintaining peace in the era of military artificial intelligence, parliamentary diplomacy and mediation, maritime security, and the protection of critical infrastructure during conflicts.
Other discussions focused on proposals to review the United Nations Charter and strengthen conflict prevention mechanisms, counterterrorism strategies, oversight of extractive industries, digital overload and mental health across generations, ethical artificial intelligence that protects children’s rights, food security in a changing climate, and the implementation of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Sri Lanka’s participation in the 153rd IPU Assembly reflects the country’s continued engagement in international parliamentary dialogue and cooperation, particularly in advancing democratic governance, inclusivity, public accountability, health security and sustainable development.
