President Ranil Wickremesinghe to Open Fifth Session of Ninth Parliament Today

Today, February 7th, marks the ceremonial opening of the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament of Sri Lanka, to be officiated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The Parliament had been prorogued since January 26th, signifying the conclusion of the Fourth Session.

Traditionally, during the ceremonial opening of a new session, the President delivers the government's policy statement, formerly known as the Throne Speech, outlining the administration's agenda. This statement sets the tone for the legislative agenda and priorities for the upcoming session.

Following the ceremonial opening, the adjournment debate on the government's policy statement is scheduled to take place over two days, on February 8th and 9th, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This debate provides Members of Parliament with an opportunity to scrutinize and discuss the policies outlined in the government's statement.

Additionally, on February 8th, a resolution under the Essential Public Services Act is slated for approval without a debate, preceding the continuation of the adjournment debate on the government's policy statement.

With the commencement of the new session, any pending questions and motions that were not addressed during the previous session will be nullified, requiring Members of Parliament to reintroduce them in accordance with parliamentary procedures.

Furthermore, the reconstitution of all committees, except for specific ones such as the Liaison Committee of Parliament, Committee on High Posts, Select Committees, and Sectoral Oversight Committees, is mandated at the beginning of the new session.