About seventy new MPs have been invited to take part in a three-day workshop in five-star comfort in a southern resort by Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). They left for Hotel Triton in Ahungalle after Friday’s proceedings in parliament where the focus was on Defence Minister Tilak Marapana’s statement on the recent clashes between the Muslims and the Tamils backed by the LTTE.

About 40 of the MPs were from the ruling party. The rest were from the PA (about 20), the JVP and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Although the workshop began yesterday, the MPs were invited the previous evening for a reception followed by dinner. Many were seen in high spirits as a result of this hospitality. Apart from the MPs, there were number of other guests. The function was not opened to the press.

Despite a series of clashes among government, PA and JVP MPs since Tuesday over what the opposition described as the precarious situation in the east, the MPs were in the best of terms on Friday.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Speaker Joseph Michael Perera and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse were scheduled to address the group yesterday morning. The speeches were to be followed by a 15 minute coffee break before senior Indian, Canadian, US and German diplomats will participate in a discussion titled The Legislature in the 21st century: Comparative perspective.

In the evening former secretary general of parliament Sam Wijesinha was to due to speak on Parliament of Sri Lanka.

The day two will begin with Wijesinha delivering a talk on parliamentary privilege. Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Mrs. Priyanee Wijesekera, will lecture on standing orders: Focus on legislation. In the evening Asanga Welikala, research associate, legal and constitutional unit of the CPA will talk on the committee system.

On day three, there will two panel discussions with the first expected to centre on the backbencher and the second on the future of parliament. Chief government whip Mahinda Samarasinghe and PA spokesman Dr. Sarath Amunugama and Rohan Edirisinha, director, constitutional and legal unit, CPA will be among the panellists.

Justice Minister W. J. M. Lokubandara will lead the second discussions with the participation of four other MPs including two new MPs, the sources said. (SF)