President Ranil Wickremesinghe says Sri Lanka stands out as the sole nation in Asia where democracy is fully safeguarded, ensuring that governmental actions do not impede the operations of the opposition.
He also underscored the significance of safeguarding the democratic parliamentary system, ensuring that everyone’s viewpoints are allowed to be heard.
The president delivered these remarks while speaking at the opening session of Sri Lanka’s inaugural National Student Parliament, convened on Tuesday (26) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The National Student Parliament comprises two representatives elected from each of the zonal student parliaments established in 100 regions, spanning across the nine provinces of the island, selected based on receiving the highest number of votes.
In an election conducted on Tuesday by the Election Commission under the auspices of the Co-Curricular Guidance and Counselling Branch of the Ministry of Education, the National Student Parliament appointed individuals to various positions, including Speaker, Prime Minister, Deputy Speaker, 10 Ministers, and 10 Deputy Ministers.
The book titled ‘Pibidunu Sisu Mathi Sabaya,’ which chronicles the program offering school students the chance to visit notable locations in Colombo, including the President’s Office, conceived under the initiative of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was presented to the President by Major Nadika Dangolla, Assistant Director of the Presidential Secretariat. Additionally, to commemorate this event, Mrs. Wasantha Perera, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, presented a special gift to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The President extended an invitation to the National Student Parliamentarians to share their viewpoints and recommendations regarding the nation’s political landscape. Additionally, he granted them the chance to visit the Cabinet meeting venue at the Presidential Secretariat.
The Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, distributed certificates to the members of the National Student Parliament.
--PMD
