MPs currently on visit to Israel

31 January 2012 05:19 am

A Sri Lankan parliamentary delegation is currently visiting Israel on an invitation extended by the Israeli parliament – ‘The Knesset’. The Sri Lankan delegation comprises of Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena; Deputy Minister Neomal Perera; UNP MPs John Amaratunga and Buddhika Pathirana; and Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Kithulgoda.

The delegation left the island on January 29 and is expected to return on February 2. “This is a goodwill visit and was the result of an invitation sent from Israeli parliament,” a parliamentary source confirmed.

In May 2009, Israel called for a combined UN and World Health Organisation (WHO) team to investigate the conduct of the Sri Lankan security forces during the war. The call came on May 18 during a meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva at the WHO headquarters.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was elected as Chairman of the WHA despite opposition from Israel over alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. Israel also criticised Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council sessions held on May 26 and 27, 2009. (Ayesha Zuhair)