Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today highlighted that terrorism, in whatever form it may exist, is the biggest threat to the civilization and human development. Threat to one country or one region is a threat to the humanity, he added. He expressed hope that in the fight against terrorism, all the countries would stand together with a common front and strategy. Shri Birla made these remarks during a bilateral meeting with a visiting Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation led by Hon’ble Dr. Rizvie Salih, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees of the Sri Lankan Parliament, in Parliament House, today. The Speaker urged Parliaments of world's democratic countries to work unitedly against the global threat of terrorism.

Welcoming the Members of the delegation to the Parliament House, Shri Birla said that the friendship between India and Sri Lanka is based on shared cultural, spiritual, and civilizational values. He also thanked the Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation for expressing its solidarity with India’s fight against terrorism.

The Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation is currently attending a week-long capacity building program being organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE).

Glad to welcome Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation led by Hon. @Dr_Rizviesalih, Deputy Speaker of the @ParliamentLK to the Parliament of India. Our discussions reaffirmed the deep-rooted cultural, spiritual, and democratic bonds between India and Sri Lanka.

Stressed that… pic.twitter.com/hkYayzc5EL

— Om Birla (@ombirlakota) May 27, 2025

Shri Birla noted with pride that the common Buddhist heritage connects the two nations. He also mentioned about the growing collaboration between India and Sri Lanka in areas such as fintech, digital infrastructure, and connectivity—highlighted by the recent launch of UPI-based payment systems in Sri Lanka and improved tourism links through sea ferry and flight services.

Speaking about the various technical innovations being incorporated into the functioning of the Indian Parliament, Shri Birla observed that the Parliament of India is promoting public participation and transparency in the parliamentary system through the use of digital and AI-based technologies. He expressed joy at the regular exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries, which have promoted mutual understanding and cooperation. He also underlined the importance of capacity building of Parliamentarians and emphasized on how digital innovation and technology are strengthening legislative processes and public participation in both countries.

Shri Birla was happy to note that Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) has over the years organized capacity-building programs for parliamentarians and officials from more than 110 countries. He hoped that the capacity building programme for the Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation in the Parliament of India would enhance their understanding of functioning Parliament has strengthened, empowered, and made the nation's democratic framework accountable to its people through parliamentary committees, legislative and budgetary processes, and other parliamentary instruments.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rizvie Salih thanked Shri Birla for the hospitality extended to the Sri Lankan Delegation. He extended greetings on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka to the Parliament of India. Dr. Salih said that both India and Sri Lanka share close historical, cultural and civilizational ties going back centuries. He thanked India for the support extended to Sri Lanka during difficult times and expressed hope that India Sri Lanka ties would grow from strength to strength.

Secretary General Lok Sabha, Shri Utpal Kumar Singh remained present on the occasion.

***

AM

(Release ID: 2131725)