New Parliamentary session will commence on January 18

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has prorogued the Parliament in accordance with the powers vested in him by Article 70 of the Constitution with effect from midnight on December. Accordingly, the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament will commence on the 18th of January at 10.00 am.

According to Article 33 of the Constitution, the President has the opportunity to ceremonially open the Parliament and preside over the presentation of the Policy Statement of the Government at the commencement of a new session.

When Parliament concludes its session, issues and motions which have not been duly considered by Parliament will be suspended and MPs should again act in accordance with the Standing Orders. Further, all Committees other than the Committee on High Posts of Parliament and the Select Committees should be re-appointed at the new session.

Accordingly, Parliament will not convene on January 11 as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business on the 9th and the sittings for the year 2022 will commence on January 18.