The Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament is scheduled to be ceremonially declared open tomorrow (08) by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The rehearsal pertaining to the ceremonial opening was held yesterday at the Parliament premises to which many, including students of President’s Girls College, Kotte were present.
Following the ceremonial opening of the session, the President will present the Statement of Government Policy in Parliament at 10 a.m. in accordance with 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 gun salutes and motorcades shall not be held, Narendra Fernando, Serjeant at Arms, said.
He said that the invited guests have been told to take their seats by 09.15 a.m.
Following the arrival of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and his wife, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will arrive, followed by the arrival of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the First Lady.
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana and the Secretary General of the Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake will receive President 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. Students of President Girls College, Kotte will sing Jayamangala Gatha and bless the President and Parliament.
The President will then arrive at the Robing Room will and remain there until 9.55 a.m. 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 the President and the members of the ruling party and opposition shall stand and salute in accordance with tradition.
The President who enters the Chamber presides over the House and at this time the Speaker sits with the Secretary General 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 a.m on Thursday (09.02.2023). Following adjournment, a tea party has been organized for the invited guests including diplomats.
Foreign Diplomats, former Presidents, the Chief Justice, Supreme Court Judges, the Attorney General, the 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,’ Narendra Fernando, Serjeant at Arms, said.
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