Colombo: The Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Sri Lanka, Ihab Al-Tari, briefed the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, on the latest developments in the Palestinian arena. This meeting took place at the Sri Lankan Parliament in Colombo, aiming to reconstitute the Sri Lanka-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Committee in the newly elected 10th Parliament of Sri Lanka. The initiative seeks to enhance bilateral relations at the parliamentary and diplomatic levels between the two countries.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Ambassador Al-Tari highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to ongoing Israeli aggression and the blockade imposed by Israeli occupation forces. He referenced a statement from Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa's office indicating the Gaza Strip's descent into famine and the urgent need for international intervention. The Ambassador also discussed the dire conditions in the West Bank, including daily violations, city and camp invasions by Israeli forces, assassinations, and infrastructure destruction.
During the meeting, the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament expressed his concern over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. He emphasized his stance against violence targeting civilians, particularly women and children, and stressed the importance of pursuing a just peace. He affirmed Sri Lanka's commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian right to self-determination, advocating for the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He also noted the significance of reconstituting the Parliamentary Friendship Committee as a crucial step to bolster this commitment.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Al-Tari and the Speaker proceeded to the Parliamentary Debate Hall to form the Sri Lanka-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Committee and elect its members. The session was attended by numerous MPs, ministers, and political party leaders. Ambassador Al-Tari delivered a brief speech, stating that the committee's formation symbolizes Sri Lanka's ongoing support for Palestine and provides a platform to enhance parliamentary cooperation and support for the Palestinian cause internationally.
After the election of the committee members and its chair, Dr. Heniduma Seneve, the current Minister of Culture and Religion, Ambassador Al-Tari addressed the parliamentarians. He expressed gratitude for Sri Lanka's steadfast position on Palestine and underscored the critical timing of this step, given the challenging circumstances faced by the Palestinian people.