Rehearsals held for Opening of Parliament's First Session

As per a statement from Parliament, the session will begin at 10:00 am, following the ringing of the quorum bell at 9:55 am. The ceremonial process starts with the placement of the mace in the chamber, after which 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, as outlined by the Constitution, the provisions of Article 64(1) of the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6. Subsequently, and will take the oath of office. This will be followed by the oaths or affirmations of the newly elected Members of Parliament and the election of the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees.

On the opening day, MPs can choose their seats freely, as no seating arrangements have been assigned yet. After these initial proceedings, the session will temporarily adjourn.

At 11:30 am, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will take the Speaker’s Chair to deliver the Government’s Policy Statement in accordance with Articles 32(4) and 33 of the Constitution.

The event will be a simplified ceremony with no recital of Jaya Mangala Gatha, no military honors, gun salutes, or motorcades. Guests are expected to be seated by 11:00 am. The Speaker will be welcomed at 11:10 am, followed by the Prime Minister at 11:15 am, and the President shortly afterward.

President Dissanayake will be officially greeted by the Speaker and Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera near the main staircase at 11:20 am and escorted to the Robbin Room by the Serjeant-at-Arms, Kushan Jayaratne and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, thereafter leading the procession carrying the mace, followed by the President, the Speaker, and the Secretary-General. 

Inside the Chamber, the President will take the Speaker’s Chair, while the Speaker will sit alongside the Secretary-General for the occasion. The President will then deliver the Government’s Policy Statement, following which the session is expected to be suspended.

Prominent attendees, including foreign diplomats, have been invited to the inaugural session. Serjeant-at-Arms Kushan Jayaratne confirmed that invitations for the event were sent electronically.