A rehearsal for the ceremonial opening of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament, set for November 21, was conducted today at the Parliament premises.
According to an official statement, the 10th Parliament will convene tomorrow with the quorum bell sounding at 9:55 a.m., followed by the inaugural session at 10:00 a.m. After the mace is placed in the chamber, the Secretary-General of Parliament will present the Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued by the President, setting the session’s date and time as the first order of business.
The Speaker will then be elected under Article 64(1) of the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6. The newly elected Speaker will take the oath or affirmation, followed by Members of Parliament. Subsequently, the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees will also be elected.
On the opening day, Members will have the unique privilege of selecting their seats, as no pre-assigned seating arrangements are in place.
Parliament proceedings will be temporarily suspended after these formalities. At 11:30 a.m., President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will assume the Speaker’s Chair and deliver the Government’s Policy Statement, as stipulated by Articles 32(4) and 33 of the Constitution.
Arrangements for the inaugural session have been planned as a simple yet dignified event under the President’s guidance. There will be no recital of Jaya Mangala Gatha, military honours, gun salutes, or motorcades, according to Serjeant-at-Arms Kushan Jayaratne.
Distinguished guests, including foreign diplomats, have been invited to attend. E-invitations were sent out for the occasion. Guests are expected to be seated by 11:00 a.m., with the Speaker welcomed at 11:10 a.m. near the Parliament’s main staircase, followed by the Prime Minister’s reception.
The President will arrive shortly thereafter, formally welcomed by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera. Escorted by the Serjeant-at-Arms, the President will proceed to the Robing Room before leading a procession with the mace into the Chamber.
Once in the Speaker’s Chair, the President will deliver the Government’s Policy Statement, concluding the ceremonial proceedings, after which the session is expected to adjourn.
