The Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka is set to be officially opened on February 8th, 2023 by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The ceremonial opening, to be held as a formal event without gun salutes or motorcades, will feature a performance by students of Presidents’ Girls College and the blessing of the President and Parliament by Jayamangala Gatha.
Following the arrival of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and President Wickremesinghe, the President will present the Statement of Government Policy in Parliament.
The event will be attended by foreign diplomats, former Presidents, the Chief Justice, Supreme Court Judges, and other high-ranking officials. Invitations have been sent electronically.
News in Full:
- Presentation of the Statement of Government Policy by the Hon. President at 10.00 am.
- Gun Salutes and motorcade not held
The Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament is scheduled to be ceremonially declared open on the 08.02.2023 by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President. The rehearsal pertaining to the ceremonial opening was held today (2023.02.06) at the Parliament premises to which many were present including students of Presidents’ Girls College, Kotte.
Following the ceremonial opening of the session on the said day, the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to present the Statement of Government Policy in Parliament at 10.00 am according to the powers vested in him under Article 33 of the Constitution.
Given the instructions of the President, arrangements have been made to hold the ceremonial opening of the fourth session as a formal ceremony and thus, gun salutes and motorcades shall not be held, Mr. Narendra Fernando, Serjeant at Arms, said.
He said that the invited guests have been told to take their seats by 09.15 am on 08.02.2023.
Following the arrival of the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and his wife, the Prime Minister Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena will arrive, followed by the arrival of the Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and the first lady.
There the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and the Secretary General of the Parliament Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake shall receive the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe near the main steps of the Parliament building.
Followed by the said, the Speaker and the Secretary General of the Parliament led by the Serjeant at Arms, Deputy Serjeant at Arms and Assistant Serjeant at Arms shall escort the President to the Parliament House.
On that occasion, the students of President Girls’ College, Kotte will sing Jayamangala Gatha and bless the President and the Parliament.
The President who shall then arrive at the Robing Room will stay there until approximately 9.55 am and according to tradition, the Deputy Serjeant at Arms, the Serjeant at Arms carrying the Mace, the President followed by the Speaker, the Secretary Generals of Parliament and the Assistant Serjeant at Arms shall enter the chamber accordingly.
Upon entering the chamber, the Deputy Serjeant at Arms shall announce “Honorable President” and the members of the ruling party and opposition shall stand and salute keeping in accordance with tradition. The President who enters the chamber presides over the House and at this time the Speaker sits with the Secretariat in the lower seat as during the Committee Stage.
After the President presents the Statement of Government Policy, the House will be adjourned until 9.30 am on 09.02.2023. Following adjournment, a tea party has been organized for the invited guests including diplomats.
Foreign Diplomats, Former Presidents, Chief Justice, Supreme Court Judges, Attorney General, Secretary of Defense, commanders of the three-armed forces and the Inspector General of Police have been invited for the ceremonial Opening of the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament, Mr. Narendra Fernando, Serjeant at Arms, said. He also said that invitations have been sent electronically for this event.
