Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs, was invited to be a panelist at the seventh Democracy Forum held in Bali, Indonesia where 52 countries participated. Prof. Peiris drew on the Sri Lankan experience in illustrating the theme for discussion by the panel which was, “The dynamics of political development and social economic progress”. He referred to Sri Lanka’s recent experiences in national reconciliation and rehabilitation and initiatives regarding equitable access to the benefits of economic progress, with special reference to the rural sector, youth and women.