(UTV | COLOMBO) – The ceremonial opening of third session of the Ninth Parliament is being held under the patronage of the President, Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The rehearsal pertaining to the ceremonial opening was held on Tuesday (02) at the Parliament premises.
Following the ceremonial opening of the new session, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to present the government’s policy statement at 10:30 a.m. in Parliament in accordance with the powers vested in him by Article 33 of the Constitution.
There will be no gun salutes or vehicular parades , Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament, Narendra Fernando said, according to the Parliament website.
Instead, the President will be received in front of Parliament with a Tri Force Guard of Honor. The President’s flag will not be hoisted and only the National Flag will be hoisted this time.
After entering the Chamber, the President presides over the sittings and this time, the President’s seat is marked with the State Emblem instead of the President’s official emblem.
The speaker will sit with the secretaries in the lower seat where the speaker sits during the committee stage.
Following the presentation of the Government Policy Statement by the President, the House will be adjourned.
Afterwards, a tea party has been organized for the Hon. Members of Parliament and invited guests.
A Guard of Honor will also be presented when the President and First Lady leave Parliament.
Narendra Fernando further mentioned that several officials including foreign diplomats, former Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chief Justice, Supreme Court Judges, Attorney General, Defense Secretary, Commanders of the tri forces and the Inspector General of Police have been invited to the ceremonial opening of the third session of the Ninth Parliament.
He also stressed that the third session of the Ninth Parliament will be ceremonially opened following all health guidelines.