“I address this Session of Parliament at the historic occasion when the hopes and expectations of the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslims, Burgher, Malay and all people of our country for several decades, to see a Sri Lanka that is free of murderous terrorism, have been realized. As you already know our Motherland has been completely freed from the clutches of separatist terrorism. From now on it is only the Laws enacted by this sovereign Parliament that will be in force in every inch of Sri Lanka.”
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
(The address to Parliament
on May 19, 2009)
Parliament which embodies legislative power is the highest institution of any democratic country. Accordingly, we believe that the Parliament at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte which celebrates its 30th birthday today is the highest apex body of our country in which the people’s sovereignty and democracy rest.
This huge Parliamentary complex provides shelter to many versatile and gifted politicians and the opportunity for the expression of their views freely and for collective decision-making. This magnificent building is also the forum for the voices of the people’s representatives who protect independence and democratic rights. The main functions of Parliament are law-making, scrutiny of the Executive, ventilation of public grievances through public petitions and questions in Parliament and the control of public finance. Hence, Parliament reflects the representative political will of the nation.
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In 1833, the first Legislative Council met in the building opposite the picturesque Gordon Gardens, now occupied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The scene shifted to the Old Parliament fronting the Indian Ocean at Galle Face on January 29, 1930, where the Presidential Secretariat is functioning currently. The third building erected for the country’s legislature is the new Parliament building at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte which was opened on April 29, 1982, exactly 30 years ago.
Consequent to constitutional reforms from the first Legislative Council in 1833, the name of the legislature was changed several times: the Legislative Council (1833-1931); the State Council (1931-1947); the House of Representatives (1947-1972); the National State Assembly (1972-1978); and the Parliament (1978 onwards). On the recommendations of the Soulbury Commission, the Westminster model of reform was introduced with a bicameral legislature – the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Representatives (Lower House) which existed until the abolition of the Senate in 1971. The unicameral legislature introduced to our country under the first Republican Constitution of 1972, continued in the 1978 Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as well. The present Parliament is unicameral.
When the new building at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte was ceremonially declared open on April 29, 1982 at the auspicious time of 10.28 a.m. by the then President J. R. Jayewardene, he said: “In this Temple of Democracy let us so conduct ourselves for the welfare of the many that generations yet unborn may say that within this Chamber our words and conduct represented our finest hours.”
Even today, the glory and beauty of the Parliamentary complex can be seen on the same small island of ‘Duwa’ on the blue waters of the Diyawanna Oya. ‘Duwa’ is a 67,800 square metre island about 15 km east of Colombo, situated in the middle of the 300-acre Diyawanna Lake between Beddegana, off Pita Kotte, and Battaramulla. The Chief Architect of the Parliament building which covers 48,100 square metres, was Geoffrey Bawa of Edward Reid and Begg, while it was built by a Japanese consortium of two Mitsui companies.
The six-storey main building including the ground floor is 275 feet in length, 157 feet in width and 118 feet in height. The entire structure, including five surrounding buildings, is carried on a heavy, reinforced concrete foundation. The finest of steel and teak have been used on the roof, while it is also covered by 100 tons of copper sheets. A considerable portion of building materials was imported from Japan with reputed Sri Lankan carpenters supplying all the furniture. Six security huts provide outer security to the complex.
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| April 29, 1982: Then President J.R. Jayewardene declared open the Parliament at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte |
The Members of Parliament (MPs), staff and public have their respective entrances on the ground floor. A mural in mahogany depicting a sylvan scene carved by Mahinda Abeysekera adorns the Members’ entrance on the east side and a mural depicting a marsh by Anil Gamini Jayasooriya the staff entrance on the west side. These two entrances lead to one corridor, the walls of which are lined with photographs of MPs – past and present. The computerized access control system enhances protection and gives information on insiders at any given moment.
The first floor is approached externally on the north side by a broad flight of steps and a walkway flanked by terraced slopes and ornamental pools, from which water is pumped from hidden pumping plants and cascades down the terraced slopes. The walkway leads to a pillared verandah running the full length of the front of the building, perpendicular to the walkway. The verandah leads to the ceremonial hall.
On this verandah are two large ornamental bells, gifted by Mitsui Construction Company while its ceiling is painted with a colourful tile design, a creation of Ena de Silva. Across the verandah in the centre is a large bronze sliding door, behind which is a pair of gates made of iron and silver. These gates lead to a rectangular lobby. Three flights of steps from the lobby lead to the beautiful, elegantly embellished door of the main Chamber.
This 12’X12’ door of copper and silver-film has a startling three-dimensional effect. On it is inscribed, in the style of ancient rock inscriptions, the Preamble to the Constitution of Sri Lanka in Sinhala, Tamil and English. On the borders are carved attractive lotus designs and decorative motifs, which depict the art of ancient Sri Lanka. The rear of the door carries a floral design from an ancient Sri Lanka canopy in the British Museum. This masterpiece of art is the work of metal sculptor D. Wimal Surendra.
The rectangular Chamber occupying the height of two floors, the centre-piece of the building, is a place of arresting beauty. A splendid tent like billowing ceiling of 20,000 anodized aluminium trays, one foot square, linked together, covers the entire roof. Eighteen silver flag-banners and standards of kings, temples and korales on ornamental stainless steel posts and a seven-foot tall insignia of Sri Lanka form a halo above the Chamber, giving it dignity.
The dominant work of craftsmanship, however, is the distinctive and magnificent giant chandelier of beaten copper, plated in silver, hanging from the centre of the roof, directly beneath the suspended coffered ceiling giving an oriental touch. This dazzling spectacle was designed and constructed by Laki Senanayake. Other Sri Lankan experts who have made an invaluable contribution include Dr. L.P.T. Manju Sri, Senaka Senanayake, S.S.L. Surendra and Somabandu Vidyapathi.
The rich, brown tamarind veneer wood-panelling from Malaysia lends elegance while the plush Indian red carpet covering the entire floor adds richness and solemnity.
The Speaker is the head of Parliament and third citizen of the country. The Parliament at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, in the past 30 years, has enacted 1,395 legislations including new laws and amendments to existing laws. It has faced six General Elections and a Referendum and conducted 25 Sessions with around 3,240 sitting days. Over 1,518 MPs have been elected and taken the oath/affirmation before Parliament.
Among the present MPs, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Joseph Michael Perera, P. Dayaratne, John Amaratunge, Gamini Jayawickrema Perera and R. Sampanthan and the then Private Secretary to the Speaker, A.H.M. Azwer, were at the opening of Parliament 30 years ago.
(The writer is the Librarian of
Parliament) |
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