"In a democratic country, anyone can be elected to the Parliament on the basis of Universal Franchise. To fulfil the needs of the people, Members of Parliament should be equipped with an efficient staff, for the country to embark on giant development projects for the benefit of the people", noted A. H. M. Azwer, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, inaugurating a computer training program for the personal staff of the Members of Parliament of the Digamadulla and Batticaloa districts launched at the Maritime Training Center in Oluwil, Ampara.

Minister Azwer said "today’s seminar for these officers, essentially to educate them to keep pace with modern technology and other concepts, since they were the key personnel of their electorates, while their MPs have to be out of their electorate on more important duties and functions elsewhere".

"The personal staff of the members who are appointed on the recommendation of the members have to be imparted advanced knowledge in all aspects. This program can be identified as awareness program for the staff of the members to iron out the difficulties and problems when they deal with the public, government institutions, and N.G.O.

The minister also said that his ministry will conduct training programs like this in other electoral districts in the country to equip them with knowledge on modern technologies and other allied subjects.

"Although my ministry provides a computer and a printer it is observed that most of the personal staff of the members don’t possess the necessary skills and computer literacy. I believe this program will help them to get an initial training. My ministry has made arrangements to provide computer training for youths selected from each constituency in consultation with their respective MPs. This is the second in the series of such programs listed to be launched in other districts as well in the future."

Minister Azwer said that they should keep in mind to serve all sections of people irrespective of their political and other attachments. To be an effective parliamentarian, he or she has to develop the skills of a judge: the skills of being fair and just by all the different groups irrespective of political differences.

Parliamentarians Ferial Ashraff, Thambirajah Thangavadivel, G. Krishnapillai, H. M. M. Harees, M. B. A. Azeez and Y. R. De Silva, Secretary to the Ministry also spoke.