Sri Lankan Delegation Joins PM Modi at 28th Commonwealth Speakers Conference in New Delhi
By Lions Roar News Diplomatic Desk
NEW DELHI / COLOMBO (Saturday, January 17, 2026) — Strengthening democratic ties and embracing the digital frontier were at the forefront as Sri Lankan Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne joined global leaders for the 28th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers (CSPOC) in New Delhi.
The summit, inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15 at the Parliament House Complex, brought together presiding officers from 42 Commonwealth nations to discuss the future of parliamentary governance.
🤝 Strengthening Indo-Lanka Parliamentary Ties
A key highlight of the visit was a high-level bilateral meeting between Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne and the Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla. The discussion focused on modernizing parliamentary operations through shared expertise.
Key areas of cooperation discussed:
- Institutional Exchanges: Strengthening friendship groups and legislative collaboration.
- Technology Integration: The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and real-time multi-language translation in parliamentary proceedings.
- Capacity Building: Leveraging the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) to train staff and members.
- Cultural Diplomacy: Enhancing ties through shared heritage sites, such as Bodh Gaya.
🏛️ High-Level Representation
The Sri Lankan delegation included key parliamentary officials tasked with overseeing the modernization of the House:
- Jagath Wickramaratne: Speaker of the Parliament.
- Kushani Rohanadeera: Secretary General of Parliament.
- Kanchana Ruchitha Herath: Assistant Director of the Sri Lanka Parliament.
🌐 A Global Platform for Democracy
The conference saw participation from major international parliamentary bodies, including Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Christopher Kalila, Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
The sessions, which concluded on January 16, emphasized the critical role Speakers play in maintaining strong, transparent, and technologically advanced democratic institutions.
