Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe signs the visitor’s book at Norway’s Upper House of Parliament, looked on by Chairperson Tone Wilhelmsen Troen and Minister Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage
Agreement was reached to strengthen ties between the Sri Lanka Parliament and the Upper House of Norway during talks Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had with the Chairperson of the Norwegian Upper House M.S. Tone Wilhelmsen Troen in Norway on October 5.
Earlier, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and members of his visiting delegation were received by Mrs. Troen and her staff at the Upper House building and conducted to the Well of the House.
Where Mrs. Troen explained the history and the traditions of the Upper House.
There after, talks started at Mrs. Troen’s official Chamber,where she thanked the Sri Lanka government for passing special legislation to ensure enhanced womens’ representation in politics. She also inquired about the proposed educational reforms in Sri Lanka.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe explained the Government programme of work to establish a quality education system which opened a new path with a promising future for students leaving school after the GCE Ordinary Level examination under the 13-year mandatory school career.
Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also explained the measures taken to strengthen Parliament after the victory of Maithripala Sirisena as the Common Candidate in 2015.
Premier Wickremesinghe’s delegation also included Fisheries Aquatic Resources and Rural Economy Minister Vijith Vijithamuni Zoysa, Parliamentarians Hesha Vithanage and Kavinda Jayawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Saman Ekanayake, Sri Lankan’s Ambassador in Norway Prof. Arusha Cooray, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Saman Athaudahetti and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Sandra Perera.
