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President to deliver policy statement in Parliament on Thursday
View(s):By Sandun Jayawardana
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will deliver his government’s policy statement at Thursday’s (21) inaugural session of the new Parliament.
The presidential speech is scheduled for 3 p.m. Under Article 33(a) of the Constitution, the President is empowered to present the Government’s Policy Statement at the start of each new session of Parliament.
Parliament, however, is due to convene at 10 a.m. for its first sitting to allow for the affirmation of the oath of office of the new members and the election of a Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Deputy Chairperson of Committees.
Meanwhile, parliamentary officials are making arrangements to accommodate the influx of members elected to the Tenth Parliament. Starting today (17), Parliament will implement a programme to enable newly elected MPs to register online. A three-day training workshop has also been organised for the new MPs on November 25, 26 and 27.
Additionally, a help desk will be set up in Parliament’s library from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on November 19 and 21 for the benefit of new MPs, a senior official said. Among other things, MPs will have their fingerprints taken for them to be able to vote electronically and have their photographs taken for security clearance purposes. They will also be given copies of Parliament’s Standing Orders.
When the new Parliament convenes on Thursday morning, the first order of business will be to elect a Speaker. After the affirmation of the oath of office of the Speaker and other MPs, the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees will also be elected by vote. There will be no specific seating arrangements on the first day, with members allowed to sit in any seat of their choice.
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