A 24-member delegation of Sri Lankan Parliamentary officials successfully completed a five-day Orientation Programme at the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in New Delhi, India, from July 13 to 17, 2026.
The delegation was led by Mr. Herath Mudiyanselage Hansa Hemamalaka Sameera Abeyrathne, Assistant Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. The programme aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of the Indian parliamentary system, its institutional framework, committee structure, and parliamentary administration.
The training commenced with a welcome and orientation session by PRIDE, followed by presentations on the administrative structure and functions of the Parliament Secretariat. Participants received detailed briefings on key divisions, including Members’ Services, Welfare, and Members’ Salaries and Allowances, as well as parliamentary privileges, protocol, and diplomatic practices.
Officials also attended sessions on the functioning of parliamentary committees, including Financial Committees, Joint Committees, Select Committees, and the Departmentally Related Standing Committee (DRSC) system. In addition, the programme covered the preparation of the Parliament Secretariat’s budget and the roles of the Integrated Finance Unit (IFU) and Budget and Parliament (B&P) Branches.
As part of the programme, the Sri Lankan delegation toured the Indian Parliament Building, including the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha galleries, and explored the Parliament’s art galleries to gain first-hand exposure to India’s legislative institutions.
The visit also included a cultural component, with delegates visiting the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra.
According to the High Commission of India in Colombo, the programme reflects the continued commitment of India and Sri Lanka to strengthening parliamentary cooperation, promoting institutional collaboration, and sharing democratic governance experiences through capacity-building initiatives.
