Dharamshala, 4 May 2026: A three-day workshop on the Rules, Regulations, and Policies of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for the newly elected Members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile commenced today at Gangchen Kyishong in Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration.

A brief welcome ceremony was held during which Secretary-General Sonam Dorjee of the Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat extended his greetings and best wishes to the new members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

The new members include Parliamentarians Lhamo Tsering Kongtsa, Lhakpa Tsering, Gonpo Dhundup, Gyaltsen Choekye Gagya, Dawa Tsering Bari, Ngawang Lodoe, Kunchok Rinchen, Sangye Dorjee, Tenzin Pelmo, Lharong, Lhamo Kyab, Ogyen Kyab, Kalsang Phuntsok Godruk, Tseten Phuntsok, Tenzin Yangkar, and Kalsang Tsering. Members of the Standing Committee, Parliamentarians Tenpa Yarphel and Lopon Thubten Gyaltsen, attended the morning session as observers.

The morning session was led by Deputy Secretary Kelsang Sichoe and Office Superintendent Soepa Gyatso of the Budget Section under the Department of Finance (DoF). They provided an overview of the CTA’s budget-related rules and regulations, as well as the procedures for preparing and submitting budget proposals.

The workshop continued in the afternoon with two sessions on the Charter of Tibetans in exile delivered by Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel. The session aimed to strengthen the new parliamentarians’ understanding of the legal and administrative framework governing the Central Tibetan Administration.

All the sessions on the first day witnessed active participation from the Members of Parliament (MPs), who raised several queries and sought clarifications on various provisions of the Rules and Regulations. The resource persons responded to these queries and doubts in detail, providing the necessary clarifications.

Over the next two days, the parliamentarians will undertake briefing visits to the offices of the CTA’s seven departments and its autonomous bodies to gain a deeper understanding of their functions and operations. They will also receive briefings on the Rules and Regulations of Parliamentary Procedure and the Conduct of Business of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, as well as on the Middle Way Policy and Sino-Tibetan dialogue from Sikyong Penpa Tsering.

The workshop is designed to help the newly elected parliamentarians develop a comprehensive understanding of the structure, functions, and governing rules of the Central Tibetan Administration, enabling them to contribute more effectively to its democratic governance and administration.