2024-11-20
News Categories : News
• Inaugural Meeting of the Tenth Parliament: Scheduled for 10:00 a.m. tomorrow
• President to present the Government Policy Statement at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow
The ceremonial opening of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament is scheduled for tomorrow (Nov. 21). A rehearsal for the event was held today (20) at the Parliament premises.
Tomorrow, following the sounding of the quorum Bell at 9:55 a.m., Parliament will convene at 10:00 a.m. After the placing the mace in the chamber, the Secretary-General of Parliament will present the Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued by the President, setting the date and time for the session, as the first Order of Business.
The Speaker will then be elected as per the provisions of Article 64(1) of the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6. Subsequently, the Speaker will take the oath or affirmation, followed by Members of Parliament taking their oaths or affirmations, and thereafter, the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees will be elected. On the first day, Members are free to sit in any seat of their choice, as no seating arrangements are pre-assigned, which is a unique feature.
Following the initial formalities, Parliament will be temporarily suspended. At 11:30 a.m. Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will preside over the Speakers Chair and present the Government’s Policy Statement in accordance with Articles 32(4) and 33 of the Constitution.
Arrangements have been made to conduct the inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament as a charm ceremonial event under the instructions of the Hon. President. Furthermore, there will be no recital of Jaya Mangala Gatha, no formal military honors, gun salutes, or motorcades, the Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Kushan Jayaratne said.
Guests are expected to be seated by approximately 11:00 a.m. The Speaker is scheduled to be welcomed at 11:10 a.m. near the main staircase of the Parliament building. At 11:15 a.m., the Prime Minister will be received, followed by the President’s arrival shortly after.
At 11:20 a.m., the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, will formally welcome President Anura Kumara Dissanayake near the main staircase. The President will then be escorted to the Robbin Room by the Serjeant-at-Arms and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, thereafter leading the procession with carrying the mace, followed by the President, the Speaker, and the Secretary-General.
Once in the Chamber, the President will preside over the Speaker’s Chair. The Speaker will then take the seat alongside the Secretary General during this occasion. The President will deliver the Government's Policy Statement, after which the session is expected to adjourn.
Distinguished guests, including foreign diplomats, have been invited to this inaugural session. According to Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Kushan Jayaratne, invitations for the event were sent electronically (E-Invitations).
2024-11-21
Leader of the House, Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake, and Chief Government Whip, Hon. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, assumed duties at their respective offices within the Parliamentary premises today (Nov. 21) afternoon. Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, Secretary to the Leader of the House Mr. Janakantha Silva, Secretary to the Chief Government Whip Mr. Janaka Jayasundara, and several other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
2024-11-21
• Dr. Rizvie Salih was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament • Hon. Hemali Weerasekara was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairpersons of Committees Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, Member of Parliament representing the National People's Power (NPP), has been unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka. The name of Dr. Ranwala was proposed by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and was seconded by Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath. Thereafter, Hon. Prime Minister and Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath, who proposed and seconded the name of the Speaker respectively, was escorted to the Speaker’s Chair in accordance with the traditions of Parliament. The Speaker delivered a brief vote of thanks pertaining to his appointment followed by the Speaker taking his official oath in front of the Secretary General. Following the election of the Speaker, Members of Parliament were sworn in and took their official oaths. Congratulatory remarks on being elected as Speaker were extended by the Hon. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Opposition Leader Hon. Sajith Premadasa, and Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Hon. Rauff Hakeem. In his address, the Speaker expressed his commitment to safeguarding the independence and dignity of Parliament as the supreme legislative body of the nation. He pledged to uphold the Parliamentary traditions and procedures while striving to create a model, Parliament. Furthermore, the Speaker sought the cooperation of all Members of Parliament to ensure the institution operates effectively embodying the new political culture expected by the public. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of a well-structured Parliamentary Committee system and called on all Members to conduct themselves with decorum and discipline during Parliamentary proceedings. Dr. Ashoka Ranwala, represents the Gampaha District and entered Parliament following the most recent General Election. Beginning his political career as a member of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Dr. Ranwala currently serves as a member of the National Executive Committee of the NPP. Dr. Ranwala completed his primary education at Yatiyana Primary School and his secondary education at Henegama Central College. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa and a doctorate in Biochemistry from Waseda University, Japan. Dr. Ranwala has also previously served as a member of the Biyagama Pradeshiya Sabha and the Western Provincial Council. Moreover, Dr. Rizvie Salih was elected as the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. His name was proposed by the Chief Government Whip, Hon. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and was seconded by Hon. Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj. Dr. Rizvie Salih, a longstanding medical professional and member of the NPP's National Executive Committee, was elected to Parliament representing the Colombo District during the 2024 General Election. Furthermore, Hon. Hemali Weerasekara was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairpersons of Committees. Her nomination was proposed by Hon. Minister Hon. Sunil Handunnetti, and was seconded by Hon. Samanmalee Gunasinghe. Representing the Gampaha District, under the NPP, Hon. Weerasekara is a former member of the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha and a professional laboratory technician. She completed her education at Yasodara Vidyalaya, Colombo and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo. Hon. Weerasekara has been an active member of the NPP’s district and women’s executive committees.
2024-11-20
• MP information obtained online To facilitate the inaugural sitting of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, the Information Desk for Members of Parliament, held within the Parliamentary Complex on November 19 and 20, 2024, successfully concluded.This initiative saw the participation of over 200 Members of Parliament, including first-time MPs elect. During the event, essential information and documents beneficial to all Members of Parliament were provided. Activities included capturing photographs for MPs’ ID cards and obtaining fingerprints for the electronic voting system.Additionally, in preparation for the inaugural sitting of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, an online system was introduced via the Parliamentary website. This allowed MPs to submit the required information digitally, further streamlining the process.
2024-11-19
Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, has notified all Members of Parliament who are to be present at the inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament, commencing at 10:00 a.m. on the 21st of this month, to arrive at the Parliamentary Complex approximately by 9:00 a.m.Upon arrival at Parliament, Members’ vehicles will be directed to the appropriate vehicle park by police officers. Thereafter, Members of Parliament are required to remain at the Parliament lobby until the quorum bell is rung.Additionally, if Members are accompanied by their spouses, they must alight at the staff entrance of the Parliament. All other Members of Parliament are required to alight at the Members' entrance, as further stated in the notification.
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