A rehearsal for the ceremonial opening of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament took place today at the Parliament complex, as the event is scheduled for tomorrow, November 21. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has introduced several changes to the traditional ceremony, marking a departure from past practices.
The first session will begin promptly at 10:00 am, following the sounding of the quorum Bell at 9:55 am. The opening proceedings will start with the placing of the mace in the chamber, after which the Secretary-General of Parliament will present the Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued by the President, which set the date and time for the session.
As per the new procedures, the Speaker of Parliament will be elected in accordance with Articles 64(1) of the Constitution, as well as Parliamentary Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6. The Speaker will then take their oath or affirmation, followed by the Members of Parliament taking their oaths. The Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees will also be elected during this session.
For the first time in parliamentary history, no pre-assigned seating arrangements will be made for the MPs. This significant change allows Members of Parliament to choose their seats freely, creating a more informal and accessible environment for the opening day of the session.
Following the initial proceedings, Parliament will be temporarily suspended. At 11:30 am, President Dissanayake will preside over the Speaker’s Chair and deliver the Government’s Policy Statement in line with Articles 32(4) and 33 of the Constitution. This marks the first major policy address by the President at the start of the new Parliament.
A major shift from traditional practices is the elimination of ceremonial elements such as the recital of Jaya Mangala Gatha, formal military honors, gun salutes, and motorcades. These customs, which have marked the beginning of previous parliamentary sessions, will be omitted this year to focus more on the core legislative proceedings.
The ceremony will also follow a streamlined format. Distinguished guests, including foreign diplomats, have been invited via e-invitations to attend the session. Guests are expected to arrive by 11:00 am, and the Speaker will be formally welcomed at 11:10 am near the main staircase of Parliament. Shortly thereafter, the Prime Minister will arrive, and at 11:15 am, President Dissanayake is expected to arrive.
At 11:20 am, the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadhira, will formally greet the President near the main staircase before escorting him to the Robbin Room. There, a procession will be formed, with the Serjeant-at-Arms leading the way, followed by the President, the Speaker, and the Secretary-General. Once in the chamber, the President will preside over the Speaker’s Chair, where he will deliver the Government’s Policy Statement.
The session is expected to be a blend of modernity and tradition, with a stronger emphasis on efficiency and inclusivity, as opposed to elaborate ceremonies. After the Policy Statement is delivered, the session will adjourn.
This year’s ceremonial opening reflects the new leadership’s commitment to creating a Parliament that is more in tune with the changing political landscape, focusing on the core functions of governance while eliminating ceremonial formalities.
