In Pictures: Rehearsal for ceremonial opening of Parliament

The rehearsal for the ceremonial opening of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament was held today (13) at the Parliament premises. Officers of the Police Cultural Division and students of the President's Girls' College, Sri Jayewardenepura were also present, Parliament's Department of Communications said. 

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to present the Government Policy Statement in Parliament on Tuesday the 18th at 10.00 am in accordance with the powers vested in him by Article 33 (2) of the Constitution. Prior to this, the second session of the Ninth Parliament will be ceremonially opened under the patronage of the President, Parliamentary Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake said.

On the instructions of the President, arrangements have been made to hold the ceremony in a very simple manner thus that there will be no gun salutes or car parades. Instead, President Rajapaksa will be received in front of Parliament with a cultural salute with the participation of the Police Cultural Division.

The arrival of the invited guests will take place on the 18th at 9.15 am. The arrival of the Members of Parliament will take place first, followed by the arrival of the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Speaker and the Secretary General of Parliament will be welcoming the President at the main steps of the Parliament building.

They will then escort the President to Parliament House along with the Serjeant-at-Arms, Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms and Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms.

The students of President's Girls' College, Sri Jayewardenepura will line up for the recital of Jayamangala Gatha at the main entrance of the Parliament Building in welcoming the President.

Following the presentation of the Government Policy Statement by the President, the House will be adjourned. Afterwards, a tea party was organized for the Hon. Members of Parliament and invited guests.

Foreign diplomats, former Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chief Justice, Supreme Court Justices and the Attorney General have been invited to the ceremonial opening of the second session of the Ninth Parliament, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.

He also stressed that the second session of the Ninth Parliament will be ceremonially opened following all health guidelines.