Innovation, Invention and Venture Creation Council (IIVCC) of University of Sri Jayewardenepura with the collaboration of members of parliaments of Sri Lanka and People’s Action For Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) organized a guest lecture for Members of parliaments of Sri Lanka. This guest lecture series is initiated under the Academic’s Consultation Services for Parliamentarians (MP) of SL.

The MP Research Collective representatives which are comprised of Academic personals who are subject matter experts delivered this special session on ‘ Human-Animal Conflict with Special Reference to Toque Macaque (Rilawa)” on 11. 10. 2018 at Committee room 01, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Experts discussed mainly about human-monkey conflict, the proposed integrated control mechanisms, and short and long-term control methods.  Prof. Mrs. C. A.D. Nahallage (USJP) led the Academic presentation, followed by Dr. Nimal Kumarasinghe (USJP) and Prof. Asoka Dangalla (UPSL) and Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda (USJP) moderated the session.

The resource personals also presented the current status of their researches latest progress on the matter, challenges faced with special reference to human errors and long and short-term solutions while delivering the session to the Honorable MPs. The session was followed by a Q & A session which allowed the path to a constructive dialogue about the way forward. Most importantly after listening to the presentations of the resource personals, it was emphasized by the Honorable Members of the Parliament to set a policy framework to promptly address this issue which causes many economic losses to the rural communities that have not still been assessed.

The Honorable Members of the Parliament who took part in this program came to a common agreement to take this dialogue forward in order to present a proposal to a Parliament Working Committee to work on this matter. Also the Hon. MPs agreed to extend their support to facilitate the ongoing research work by the resource personals which was emphasized by the academics. Both resource personals and MPs highly commended the effort by March 12 Movement to bring subject matter experts from academia and policymakers into one table where it will immensely contribute to set up a policy framework which can address the prevailing issues in grassroots in an efficient manner.

Multi-party representation was seen in the group of Honorable Members of the Parliament who took part in this program, from the ruling party, joint opposition as well as the minority parties.

1. Dep. Speaker of the Parliament Hon. Ananda Kumarasiri
2. Hon. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana MP
3. Hon. Indika Anuruddha MP
4. Hon. T. Ranjith de Zoysa MP
5. Hon. M. Priyadarsha de Silva MP
6. Hon. Dulip Wijesekara MP
7. Hon. T. V. Vidanagamage MP
8. Hon. Mrs. Rohini Wijeratne MP
9. Hon. Dr. Mrs. Thusitha Wijemanna MP
10. Hon. Prof. Ashudodha Marasinghe MP
11. Hon. Tharaka Balasuriya MP
12. Hon. Vidura Wikkramanayaka MP
13. Hon. Janaka Wakkumbura MP
14. Hon. W. Dissanayake MP
15. Hon. Sujith Perera MP
16. Hon. Lohan Rathwaththe MP
17. Hon. D.V. Chanaka MP
18. Hon. Kanaka Herath MP
19. Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeygunawardana MP
20. Hon. Mujiber Rahuman MP
21. Hon. Asoka Priyantha MP
22. Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna MP
23. Hon. Nihal Galappaththi MP
24. Hon. S. C. Muthukumarana MP