TNA MP Selvam Adikkalanathan appointed Deputy Chairman of Committees

Parliament today unanimously elected Karu Jayasuriya to the post of Speaker as well as Thilanga Sumathipala as Deputy Speaker and TNA MP Selvam Adikkalanathan as Deputy Chairman of Committees. The appointments were made as the 8^th parliament formally inaugurated its five year term  this morning. The proceedings for the day began at 9.30 am with Serjeant-at-Arms Anil Parakrama entering the Chamber with the Mace which was laid on the lower rest till the Speaker was elected.  Secretary General Dhammika Dassanayake first read out the proclamation by President Maithripala Sirisena summoning the meeting.  Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed the name of Karu Jayasuriya and it was seconded by SLFP Group Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva. Mr. Jayasuriya then proceeded to take the Speaker s chair following which the Mace was placed on the upper rest and the House began its business. The soaker first took his oaths before the secretary General following which all the others MPs took their oaths. Thilanga Sumathipala was proposed to the post of Deputy Speaker by SLFP Group Leader De Silva and his name was seconded by SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem.   . TNA MP MA Sumanthiran proposed the name of Selvam Adaikkilanathan to the post of Deputy Chairman of Committees while MP Lakshman Kiriella seconded it.   Thereafter, Speaker Jayasuriya announced to the House that Lakshman Kiriella has been appointed to the post of Leader of the House and Gayantha Karunathilake to the post of Chief Government Whip.   After that Speaker adjourned the House till 3.00 pm announcing that President Sirisena would present the Statement of Government Policy. By Chandani Kirinde