The recently initiated short course on parliamentary functions and procedures by Parliament for Universities was introduced to undergraduates of the University of Jaffna. The inauguration was held on 31 October at the University of Jaffna.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Professor S. Srisatkunarajah thanked Parliament for arranging such a course and spoke to undergraduates on the importance of taking such course.
Senior officials of the Parliament Secretariat provide the material to resource persons from the Department of Media Studies – Faculty of Arts, University of Jaffna. Director of Legislative Services and Acting Director of Communications, Janakantha Silva, Director Administration, G. Thatchanarany and Manager Media Nimmie Hathiyaldeniya were present at the inauguration.
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. K. Suthakar who addressed the gathering requested that the course be conducted for Political Science undergraduates.
Dr. S. Raguram, Professor of Media Studies and Head of Department of Media Studies, Lecturers of the Media Faculty, Poonkulali Sreesangithanan, Anutharshi Gabilan, Jude Dinesh Koduthor were also present.
The course intends to cover Democracy and Parliamentary System, Legislative Process of Parliament, Evolution of the Parliamentary System, Parliamentary Committee System, Parliament and the Public, Code of Conduct for the Members of Parliament, Standing Orders, Correlation for Public Service Process and Women’s Representation.
It includes four lectures and a study tour around Parliament.
Meanwhile, Parliament in collaboration with the University of Colombo initiated the Course in Colombo University to educate final year students of the Department of Political Science and Public Policy of the University, and give them an insight into the working of Parliament.