The Parliament of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) and the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) co-organised a Parliamentarians Leadership Conference at the Sri Lankan Parliament on the theme, “Accountability in Action: Fostering Transparency and Good Governance Among Parliamentarians”.
The conference, sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and was attended by over 150 participants from six different Asian countries.
Addressing the conference, President Ranil Wickremesinghe commended the organisers for choosing Sri Lanka to host the peace conference at a time of escalating conflict in the Middle East and Europe.
The President said that transparency and good governance is needed for securing peace. President Wickremesinghe also highlighted his government’s works of forming oversight committees to ensure transparency in the country.
President Wickremesinghe said the necessity of actively implementing measures that ensure accountability. “Legislation and accountability in action is needed,” he said.
President
Then he shed light on the Sri Lankan government’s robust strategies, including diagnostic evaluations, rigorous auditing, and parliamentary oversight in managing public funds, setting a benchmark for transparent governance and responsible resource allocation within Sri Lanka.
International Chairman of the UPF, Dr. Charles S. Yang conveyed the UPF Co-founder’s good wishes to the participants and the people of Sri Lanka. Dr. Yang acknowledged the contributions and collaborations of the Sri Lankan Government and Parliament with the Universal Peace Federation. He said, “the relationship between UPF and Sri Lanka is deep, wide, and historical”.
Chairman Yang urged Parliamentarians to be fully aware and contribute to create healthy and transparent economic systems within their country. Illustrating an example of how his home country of Korea overcame the 1997 Asian financial crisis, he encouraged the Sri Lankan people to have more confidence and unity to overcome the ongoing economic crisis.
Dr. Yang also called for a cultural shift, returning back to our old universal values and traditions. He said that the core teachings of UPF’s Co-founder, Dr. and Mrs. Moon, unselfishness, living for the sake of others, public-mindedness, altruism, delayed gratification, and the willingness to sacrifice is becoming more relevant to the world for creating a culture of peace.
Unbiased
Dr. Yang also underscored transparency in decision-making processes, the effective oversight of Government actions, commitment to unbiased evaluations and ethical conduct as the bedrock of accountability.
The chairman Dr. Yang also introduced UPF Co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon’s proposal of the establishment of the Asia Pacific Union (APU) to the participants and sought for Sri Lankan solidarity.
He elaborated by saying that the proposed Asia Pacific Union (APU)will be a broad based, independent, non-political body that draws together like-minded individuals and organisations (Government, NGO and FBO) from among the community of Asia Pacific nations.
According to him, APU can be a venue to share the best practices of nations, encourage economic growth, promote tourism, and impart to nations and regions a renewed hope for a
Unified world of peace
One of the co-hosts of the conference, the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka expressed his happiness for conducting the timely conference in Sri Lanka Parliament. He appreciates UPF Co founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon’s priority on promoting peace and dialogue throughout the world.
Another co-host of the conference, the 6th Executive President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena testified that peace is the only way for humanity’s better future. He urged participants to become peace makers. Former President Sirisena worries about the heavy spending of resources in ongoing wars and conflicts globally, with no concern towards the disadvantaged people in the world.
He said that Sri Lankans always wish for peace and harmony and hopes to build an uncorrupted society with good and friendly foreign relations.
Sirisena chairs UPF’s International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) in the Asia Pacific region. ISCP is an international network of current and former heads of State and Government who use their wisdom and expertise to explore solutions and offer recommendations to address the world’s critical problems.
Lawmaker from Nepal and Chair of IAPP Asia Pacific, Ek Nath Dhakal said that the credibility of democratic institutions hinges on the trust citizens place in their elected officials. Dhakal said that in the Asia-Pacific region, where diverse cultures and political systems coexist, the call for accountability resonates deeply.
He said that accountability becomes the linchpin for sustainable development and regional stability.
Challenges
Lawmaker Dhakal outlined South Asia as both vibrant and complex sub-region and said that
South Asia is in the crossroads of progress and challenges. He sees fostering accountability among parliamentarians as not only a necessity, but also a catalyst for advancing regional cooperation and harmonious development.
Dhakal lamented on the passiveness of the regional organisation, SAARC and called for member states to uphold the founding ideals of SAARC for creating a sustainable, inclusive, and Resilient South Asia.
Talking about his home country Nepal, Dhakal outlined Nepal as a nation with a rich tapestry of history and a commitment to democratic values. He highlighted Nepal’s significant democratic journey in spite of various challenges that persisted.
Dhakal said, “the citizens of Nepal, like those around the world, demand transparency and accountability from their Government and elected representatives”.
Malaysian lawmaker, Kulasegaran Murugeson extended good wishes on behalf of
Malaysian Parliament
He said the rule of law was an important component for good governance. He said that the success behind Malaysia’s growth is accountability in action.
Other Sri Lankan speakers include Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education and leader of the House in Parliament, Thalatha Athukorale, MP; Former Minister of Justice, Sri
Lanka and Angajan Ramanathan, chairperson of Jaffna district coordination committee among others.
Asia Pacific regional leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), Rev. Mashaichi Hori (Japan) said that only by practicing true love can we bring positive change in society. He said that UPF’s Co-Founder Mother Moon is truly a true love practioner and Mother of Peace.
Dr. Edgar Tanate from the Philippines gave an overview of the activities of UPF, IAPP and affiliated organisations contributing to peace and the welfare of humanity. South Asian Director of UPF, Rev. Santosh Paudel and Secretary General of UPF Sri Lanka Dr. Chula Senaratne moderated the event.
Speaking through a video message, co-chair of IAPP as well as former US Congressman Dan Burton extended the solidarity of the worldwide IAPP network to the Sri Lankan Parliament and encouraged lawmakers to foster transparency and good governance.
International Coordinator of IAPP Dr. Michael Jenkins (USA), Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Commission of the National Assembly of Cambodia Hon. Suos Yara (Cambodia), Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita (India) and Member of the Parliament of Indonesia, Dave Fikarno Laksono were among the lawmakers from the Asia Pacific region who presented their perspectives on accountability, transparency and good governance.
Peace
All the speakers commended UPF’s active role in fostering dialogue and promoting peace and extended their full support.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dinesh Gunawardena was named as Ambassador for Peace.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is among four other eminent personalities who were honored as Ambassadors for Peace.
Other recipients of Ambassador for Peace certificates are Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka; (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha, Attorney at Law, MP, Minister of Education, Leader of the House of the Parliament; and Kushani Anusha Rohanadheera, Secretary General of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Ambassadors for Peace is the largest and most diverse network of peace leaders who come from all walks of life representing many races, religions, nationalities, and cultures, and commit to building a world of lasting peace and harmony.
IAPP stands on the foundation of the global network of the Universal Peace Federation, cofounded by Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, which holds General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social
Council of the United Nations
This association of lawmakers is uniquely positioned to be a common platform to address international challenges to peace. Currently, over seven thousand elected lawmakers from 122 Parliaments in the World have participated in IAPP’s program.
IAPP also participated in the 43rd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and observed the Cambodian General Election in 2023.
Before conducting the conference in the Sri Lanka Parliament, UPF convened a series of Asia Pacific Leadership Conferences in Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia in 2023 which brought a significant number of leaders together from diverse sectors mainly Government, Parliament, civil society and faith-based organisations. These ongoing peace activities aim to promote regional peace, the establishment of the Asia Pacific Union and the Peaceful Reunification of the Korean peninsula.
Director of the conference, Dr. Chula Sinaratne said, “the conference is productive as lawmakers and peace advocates from 12 countries had the opportunity to exchange insights, share best practices, and collectively lay the groundwork for a transparent and accountable governance needed at our time”.
The visiting high level delegation of UPF led by International Chairman Dr. Charles Yang also called on 5th Executive President Mahinda Rajapaksa and also the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.
Dr. Yang also paid visit to a Buddhist temple, Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara and met the Chief Incumbent Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera.
