A 24-member delegation of Sri Lankan Parliamentary Officials visited India from 13-17 July 2026 for an Orientation Programme at Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), New Delhi. The delegation was led by Mr Herath Mudiyanselage Hansa Hemamalaka Sameera Abeyrathne, Assistant Secretary General of Sri Lankan Parliament. The week-long visit was aimed at providing exposure to Indian Parliamentary system’s institutional frameworks, Committee system, etc.
The programme commenced with a welcome and orientation by PRIDE, followed by an overview of the administrative structure and functions of the Parliament Secretariat. Participants gained insights into the roles of key branches, including Welfare, Members’ Services, and Members’ Salaries and Allowances, which provide essential support to Members of Parliament. Sessions also covered parliamentary privileges, rules of etiquette, protocol and diplomatic guidelines, the functioning of financial and other parliamentary committees, including Joint and Select Committees, and the Committee System with special emphasis on Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs).
In addition, participants learned about the preparation of the Secretariat’s budget and the roles of the Integrated Finance Unit (IFU) and Budget and Parliament (B&P) Branches. The programme was complemented by a guided tour of the Parliament Building, including visits to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha galleries and the Parliament’s art galleries, providing participants with exposure to India’s parliamentary institutions. As part of cultural immersion, the delegation visited the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra.
The visit reflects the continued commitment of India and Sri Lanka to deepen parliamentary engagement and share developmental experiences. It also underscores the importance of capacity building and institutional collaboration between the two countries.
