Addressing the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake underscored the urgent need to restore public trust and respect for Parliament.
Drawing from his 24 years of experience as a parliamentarian, the President lamented the erosion of confidence in the institution, once revered but now often viewed with anger and distrust by the public.
“The mandate entrusted to us demands that we protect the honor and supremacy of Parliament,” he stated. “This is an opportunity to implement good practices and restore integrity within the institution. We must ensure that Parliament passes the test of public scrutiny in the coming years.” He appealed for the support of the Speaker and newly elected MPs to achieve these goals.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed his commitment to creating a free and democratic nation rooted in the rule of law. Acknowledging the decline in public trust in the legal system, he declared, “To build a better nation, the rule of law must be firmly established. We are bound by the law, and no one in authority is above it.”
The President pledged accountability for those responsible for controversial crimes, emphasizing that justice cannot be delayed or ignored. “If we let such crimes fade with time, we would betray the trust of the people. This mandate embodies the cries of the loved ones of the victims. If we do not deliver justice, who will? The dreams of this country will wither away if we fail to act,” he said.
He concluded with a vow to ensure justice prevails, honoring the aspirations of victims and their families while working to rebuild a nation founded on trust, fairness, and integrity.
