Sri Lankan parliamentarians visit the South African Human Rights Commission

On 5^th August 2016, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) hosted a delegation of Sri Lankan parliamentarians.

The background to this visit is that the Sri Lankan ‘Constitutional Assembly’ is poised to start negotiating a (new) Constitution, which will include a modern bill of rights; seek a political solution (power sharing/devolution) to address the so-called National (Tamil) Issue and provide for a new electoral system (as a chapter in the new Constitution).

The delegation, who’s visited was hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat, was accompanied by Advocate Karen McKenzie (Head: Human Rights Unit at the Commonwealth Secretariat), comprised:

(Dr.) K. H. Jayampathy Rohanakumara Wickramaratne, MP & Leader of the delegation
(Ven.) Athuraliye Rathana Thero, MP
S. Shritharan, MP
A. Aravindadh Kumar, MP
M.H. M. Salman, MP
(Dr.) (Mrs.) W. M. D. Thusitha Prasanthi Wijemanna, MP
K. A. Tikiri Kumara Jayathilake, Assistant Secretary General of Parliament

Chairperson of the SAHRC, Lourence Mushwana met the Sri Lankan delegation and provided them with an overview of the mandate and work of the SAHRC.

The Commission’s Joyce Tlou (Advocacy) and Querida Saal (Research) also made presentations on the Equality Courts and Socio Economic Rights, respectively.

The South African High Commission in Sri Lanka supported the visit as part of its endeavours to support reconciliation.

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The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

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