Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday, 21 November 2024 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The First Session of Sri Lanka’s Tenth Parliament is set to commence today, departing from the traditional pomp and pageantry.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has opted for a minimalist approach, instructing that the session be conducted as a simple ceremonial event.
Key elements such as the military parade, gun salutes, motorcades, and the singing of Jaya Mangala Gatha have been excluded from the proceedings. Serjeant-at-Arms Kushan Jayaratne has confirmed these changes.
The session will begin at 10 a.m. following the sounding of the quorum bell at 9:55 a.m. The placing of the mace in the Chamber will mark the start of proceedings, after which the Secretary-General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera will present the Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued by the President, officially convening the session.
The first order of business will be the election of the Speaker, as mandated by Article 64(1) of the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6. Reports suggest that Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, a Member of Parliament representing the Gampaha district, is the likely candidate for the position.
Following the Speaker’s election, Members of Parliament will take their oaths, and the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees will also be chosen. Notably, seating arrangements on the first day will remain unassigned, allowing Members to sit freely.
Guests, including foreign diplomats and other distinguished invitees, are expected to be seated by 11 a.m. The Speaker will be formally welcomed at 11:10 a.m. near the main staircase of the Parliament building, followed by the Prime Minister at 11:15 a.m. Shortly after, the President will arrive and be greeted by the Speaker and Secretary-General.
Instead of the usual grandeur, President Dissanayake will be escorted to the waiting room upon arrival at the Parliamentary premises. From there, he will proceed to the Chamber to deliver the Government’s Policy Statement, a key feature of the ceremonial opening.
At 11:30 a.m., the session will resume with President Dissanayake presiding over the Speaker’s Chair to deliver the Government’s Policy Statement. This address, conducted in accordance with Articles 32(4) and 33 of the Constitution, will outline the administration’s vision and priorities for the new Parliament.
Bimal Rathnayake will serve as Leader of the House, while Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been named Chief Government Whip.
In line with the simplicity and modernisation of the event, invitations for the inaugural session were sent electronically to attendees, as confirmed by Serjeant-at-Arms Jayaratne. The session is poised to set a new tone for the Tenth Parliament, reflecting a shift towards a more streamlined and focused approach under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership.
