Karachi (04 February 2026):   Dr. Mohamed Rizvi Saleh, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, expressed his educational association with Pakistan and extended his gratitude to the Government and people of Pakistan.

He shared that after serving as a medical doctor for 40 years, he entered politics with the realization that improving people’s lives requires not only healthcare but also active participation in governance.

He stated that the role of parliaments in promoting peace and democratic trust is not merely a slogan but a guiding vision for nation-building.

Sri Lanka is a diverse country that faced a severe economic and democratic crisis in 2022, which led to widespread public protests, he noted.

He emphasized that when public grievances are not addressed within parliament, they spill onto the streets.

In Sri Lanka, dialogue has been institutionalized as a permanent part of the legal framework to resolve public issues.

Institutions such as the Office for National Unity, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and parliamentary oversight committees serve as key mechanisms for reconciliation.

By empowering parliamentary committees, Sri Lanka has included civil society, minorities, and youth in the legislative process.

He remarked that trust is the true currency of democracy, which is undermined by a lack of transparency and accountability.

Sri Lanka’s 2026 budget, he said, is not merely a financial document but a reflection of the country’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

To engage young people, student and youth parliaments have been established to enable their participation in decision-making.

He highlighted that regional challenges such as economic crises, climate change, and narcotics require collective action.

Peace cannot be imposed by force; rather, it is nurtured through dialogue within parliaments.

In Sri Lanka’s post-conflict period, parliament has played a pivotal role in restoring trust through reconciliation-based legislation and effective oversight.

He clarified that reconciliation and democratic trust are continuous processes, not one-time measures.

Parliaments do not eliminate differences; instead, they bring them within the democratic framework, making sustainable peace possible.