Sri Lanka's 10th Parliament Opens Inaugural Session

The inaugural session of the 10th Parliament is set to begin on November 21 at 10:00 a.m., with a focus on simplicity as traditional ceremonial elements will be omitted. Secretary-General Kushani Rohanadheera has instructed newly elected MPs to arrive by 9:00 a.m. for registration and to provide fingerprints. The session's agenda includes the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Deputy Chairperson of Committees, with the Speaker being elected without debate based on nominations from fellow MPs. Following these proceedings, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will present the Government's Policy Statement at 11:30 a.m. Members will not have assigned seating, allowing them to choose freely where to sit. These initial activities will set the tone for the new parliamentary term, with a workshop for MPs scheduled later this month to discuss parliamentary procedures.