State Minister of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion Vidura Wickramanayaka, was elected as the new President of the Sri Lanka-Romania Parliamentary Friendship Association recently at the revival meeting of the association for the ninth Parliament.
The meeting was held under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ambassador of Romania to Sri Lanka Victor Chiujdea and Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake. Several Ministers, State Ministers and Parliamentarians were present at the meeting.
At this meeting, Member of Parliament Akila Ellawala was elected as the new Secretary and Members of Parliament Mohomad Muzammil, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, (Mrs.) Kokila Gunawardene were elected as the Vice Presidents. In addition, Member of Parliament (Dr.) Upul Galappaththi was elected as the Treasurer and Member of Parliament Faizal Cassim as the Assistant Secretary.
Addressing the meeting the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane said that revival of the Sri Lanka-Romania Parliamentary friendship association signified a further development in fostering the cordial relationship and brotherhood that exist between the people and Parliaments of the two countries for decades.
The diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 15 th September 1957, the speaker said. There would be many more bilateral as well as study visits between the two countries at the legislative level with the dying down of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, he added.
Speaking at the meeting, newly elected President of the Sri Lanka-Romania Parliamentary Friendship Association State Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka stated that the bilateral cooperation with Romania could be further enhanced in the areas of investments and tourism and Sri Lanka seeks the assistance of the ambassador in this regard.