Sept 11, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today officially inaugurated the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPA) Annual Conference at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo this morning.

The apex event of the CPA will be held from 7th to 15th September in Colombo with the participation of approximately 800 members of parliament and Speakers representing 179 regions of 54 commonwealth countries.

Earlier President Rajapaksa said the summit will be the best opportunity for Sri Lanka to exhibit its vision and the peaceful environment in the country to the international community.

Speaker and current CPA Chairman Chamal Rajapaksa told the media this will be the biggest event to be held in Sri Lanka since the end of terrorism and an opportunity for the country to showcase firsthand the progress made, to global policy makers.

The conference under the theme 'Ensuring a Relevant Commonwealth for the Future' would discuss the common problems of the zonal member countries and would find solutions collaboratively, the Speaker said.

Among the issues that will be discussed are rule of law and human rights, role of parliaments, conflict resolution and peace- building, gender-responsive governance, terrorism, and youth unemployment.

Sri Lanka is hosting the CPA conference for the third time. Colombo has hosted the CPA Conference in 1974 and 1995.