Speaker and Sri Lankan minister share vision for Commonwealth future
27 October 2021
Reviving the Commonwealth to meet the needs of a modern world, was a central topic of discussion during a visit by Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister to the Speaker of the House of Commons.
Professor Gamini Lakshman Peiris brought the issue up when he called on Sir Lindsay Hoyle in the House of Commons.
Prof Peiris said he wanted the 54 countries of the Commonwealth to celebrate their different cultures and "be a source of strength, rather than a source of difference".
"We need to breathe more life into the Commonwealth and make it more contemporary," he said.
Sir Lindsay, Co-President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, agreed. "It’s about a modern vision for the Commonwealth - how do we revive it and make it fit for a modern world?" he said.
"It’s about the family coming together with closer cultural links and the sharing of knowledge."
The meeting was organised by Sir Lindsay as part of his Speaker-led UK parliamentary diplomacy to establish enduring ties between countries and parliamentarians.
Prof Peiris was accompanied by Her Excellency Saroja Sirisena, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK, who met Mr Speaker earlier this year.
During their discussions, Prof Peiris asked Sir Lindsay for his thoughts on Sri Lanka’s Parliament returning to a bicameral system.