President Ranil Wickremesinghe ceremonially declared open the third session of the Ninth Parliament on Wednesday (August 3). On his arrival at the Parliament, President Wickremesinghe and First Lady Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe were received by the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and the Secretary General of Parliament, Dhammika Dassanayake.
In accordance with the instructions of the President, arrangements were made to conduct the ceremony in a very simple manner without gun salutes or car parades. Instead, the President was received in front of Parliament with a Tri-Force Guard of Honour. There was no President’s flag being hoisted, only the National Flag was hoisted.
The arrival of the Members of Parliament took place prior to the arrival of the President, followed by the arrival of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and finally President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Following the ceremonial opening on Wednesday (August 3) at 10 a.m. the President presented the Government’s policy statement at 10:30 a.m. in accordance with powers vested in him through Article 33 of the Constitution.
After entering the Chamber, the President presided over the sittings and the President’s seat was marked with the State Emblem instead of the President’s official emblem. During the President’s ‘Throne Speech’, the Speaker sat with the Secretaries in the lower seat, where the Speaker sits during the committee stage. The ceremonial opening was followed by a tea party organised for the Members of Parliament and invited guests.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena arrives in Parliament
The President in conversation with TNA Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, while former President Mahinda Rajapaksa looks on.
Foreign delegates
Defence Secretary, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the IGP
Parliamentarian Dr.Kavinda Jayawardena greets the President. Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa was also present.