Sri Lankan Parliamentary Delegation Participates in AI and Research Training Programme in Slovakia

Bratislava, The Gulf Observer: A delegation from the Parliament of Sri Lanka has participated in an international training programme on parliamentary research, artificial intelligence (AI), innovation and foresight, hosted by the National Council of the Slovak Republic in Bratislava from September 29 to October 2, 2026.

Titled “Evidence, Innovation, and Foresight in Parliamentary Research,” the programme was conducted under the Inter Pares Partnership with the Parliament of Sri Lanka to support the continued development of its Parliamentary Research Division.

The initiative provided a platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices with research services from leading European parliaments, with discussions focusing on research workflows, quality assurance, accessible research publications, digital knowledge management, the responsible use of AI and forward-looking research methodologies.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera. Other members included Librarian Mr. Siyath Ahemed, Senior Research Officers Mr. Mohammed Ajiwadeen and Ms. Tekshila Erandathi Lokuge, Systems Analyst Mr. Nishan Wickramasingha Mohottige, and Deputy Principal Officer Ms. Sachinie Gunasekara.

A major focus of the programme was the secure and responsible application of AI in legislative research. Participants examined institutional frameworks for AI governance, emphasizing data protection, confidentiality, accuracy, political neutrality and effective human oversight.

Practical sessions demonstrated how AI-powered tools could support evidence gathering, document comparison, summarisation and knowledge management, helping parliamentary researchers improve efficiency while maintaining professional standards and research integrity.

The programme also highlighted the growing importance of legislative foresight in strengthening parliamentary decision-making. Through horizon scanning, trend identification and scenario development, researchers can help legislators anticipate emerging challenges and evaluate the long-term implications of public policies beyond immediate political cycles.

During their visit, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the Secretary General and senior officials of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. The programme also featured cultural visits to the Speaker’s Gallery and the National Museum, providing opportunities to explore the country’s parliamentary and cultural heritage.

The Parliament of Sri Lanka expressed its appreciation to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, International IDEA and the Inter Pares Partnership for supporting the initiative.

Acknowledgement was also extended to expert contributors and partner parliaments from Czechia, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Lithuania and the United States Congressional Research Service for sharing their expertise and contributing to the capacity-building programme.

The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen parliamentary research institutions through international cooperation, technological innovation and evidence-based policymaking, enabling legislatures to respond more effectively to complex governance challenges.