Pixs: Ceremonial opening of third session of Ninth Parliament

The ceremonial opening of the third session of the Ninth Parliament was held today (03) under the patronage of the President, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe. Given the instructions of the President, the event was kept low-key and thus had no gun salutes and vehicle parades.

Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, the Speaker and Mr. Dhammika Dasanayake, the Secretary General of Parliament received the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe near the main entrance of the Parliament building.

It was followed by a Tri Force Guard of Honor. Thereafter, the Speaker and the Secretary General of Parliament, led by the Serjeant-at-Arms, Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms and Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms, welcomed the President into to the Parliament building.

The President received blessings as the students of Devi Balika College recited Jaya Mangala Gatha.

The President remained in the Robing room and remained there until 10.25 am and paraded entering the chamber according to the tradition followed by the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, Sergeant-at-Arms with the mace, the President, the Speaker, the Secretaries and the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. 

At around 10.30 am, the President presided over the House and presented the policy statement of the government.

The ceremony was followed by a tea party for the Members of Parliament and the invited guests. Foreign diplomats, Chief Justice, Supreme Court Judges, Attorney General, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Commanders of the Tri forces and the Inspector General of Police were present at the ceremonial opening of the third session of the Ninth Parliament.