Saturday, 20th September 2014
Rasika Somarathna
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) President was elected as the Chairman of the 8th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), during its inaugural meeting at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre last morning.
The 8th General Assembly by acclamation appointed President Rajapaksa as the Chair and five other Vice-Chairpersons. The President will act as the leader of the ICAPP for the next two years.
Health Minister, SLFP General Secretary and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 8th General Assembly of the ICAPP Maithripala Sirisena conducted the proceedings.
The opening remarks were delivered by ICAPP founding Chairman and Co-Chairman of the ICAPP Standing Committee Jose de Venecia, Jr.
A congratulatory video message from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was shown.
The event was addressed by the President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Deputy Premier of the Cambodian People's Party and member of the ICAPP Standing Committee Sok An, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Co-Chairman of the Standing Committee and Secretary General of the ICAPP Chung Eui-yong.
The four- day conference from September 18- 21 will be held under the theme "Building an Asian Community" with the participation of over 300 representatives from 32 countries and100 political parties throughout Asia.
The ICAPP, launched in Manila Philippines in 2000, brings together competing governing, opposition and independent political parties in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, West Asia, Middle East and Oceania.
The conference interalia aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries in the area and with various ideologies in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust among Asian countries.
The participants will focus on global, economic, social, cultural and political progress of each country.
The invitation to host this year's ICAPP was made in July of last year when the Secretary-General of the ICAPP Standing Committee Chung Eui-yong met President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Parallel to ICAPP, two sideline meetings - the Youth Assembly under the patronage of Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and a Women's Assembly under the patronage of MP Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle will be held.
Over 450 youth members from Divisional Secretariats, Parliament, Youth Parliament and Youth Civil society will be attending the Youth Assembly.
Women members in Divisional Secretariats, Parliament, Youth Parliament and Youth Civil society are expected to attend the Women's Assembly.
The SLFP and the UNP are the jointly hosting this event with the support of other political parties in Sri Lanka.
From : http://dailynews.lk/?q=local/president-appointed-icapp-chairman
