Karu Jayasuriya appointed as Chairman of Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was unanimously appointed as the Caucus Chair of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus at its first meeting held recently under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

Jayasuriya’s name was proposed by former Deputy Speaker Thilanga Sumathipala and former MP Sumedha G. Jayasena.

In addition, former MP Shantha Premaratne was appointed as the convener of the Caucus unanimously.

The Parliament Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera and Assistant Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne were also present at this meeting.

During the lengthy discussion regarding issues faced by former MPs, Rohanadeera stated that the Secretariat of the Parliament is working to resolve such concerns.

The Speaker pointed out the importance of contributing the knowledge and experience of former parliamentarians for the future development of the country.

Accordingly, the MPs also agreed to form a constitution for the Caucus and to form sub-committees to contribute to the development of the country by utilising the international relations and political experience of former parliamentarians. Accordingly, a sub-committee on welfare affairs, sub-committee on constitutional affairs, sub-committee on political affairs, and sub-committee on economic and international affairs were formed.

J. M. Ananda Kumarasiri, former MPs Shantha Premaratne, Anura Bastian, Chandradasa Galappatti, Ranjan Ramanayake, Chandana Kathriarachchi, Jeevan Kumarathunga, Sumedha G. Jayasena, Tissa Karalliyadde, Ameer Ali, Noel Padmasiri, Ananda Kularatne, Samantha Karunarathne, Hema Ratnayake, Upali Amarasiri, Themiya Loku Bandara, Kesaralal Gunasekara, Samansiri Herath, Deepal Gunasekara, Premasiri Manage, P. Tissakuttiarachi, Uditha Lokubandara, Kamala Ranatunga, R. Nandimitra, G. de Soyza, Ravindra Samaraweera, Nandana Gunathilake, Nandimitra Ekanayake, and P. Dayaratne were present at the meeting.