News

All set for Inaugural meeting of 10th Parliament (Pics)

Published

8 months ago

November 20, 2024

editor

The ceremonial opening of the First Session of the Tenth Parliament is scheduled for tomorrow (Nov. 21).

A rehearsal for the event was held today (20) at the Parliament premises.
Tomorrow, following the sounding of the quorum Bell at 9:55 a.m., Parliament will convene at 10:00 a.m. After placing the mace in the chamber, the Secretary-General of Parliament will present the Extraordinary Gazette Notifications issued by the President, setting the date and time for the session, as the first Order of Business.

The Speaker will then be elected as per the provisions of Article 64 (1) of the Constitution and Parliamentary Standing Orders 4, 5, and 6. Subsequently, the Speaker will take the oath or affirmation, followed by Members of Parliament taking their oaths or affirmations, and thereafter, the Deputy Speaker and Deputy Chairperson of Committees will be elected. On the first day, Members are free to sit in any seat of their choice, as no seating arrangements are pre-assigned, which is a unique feature.

Following the initial formalities, Parliament will be temporarily suspended. At 11:30 a.m. Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will preside over the Speaker’s Chair and present the Government’s Policy Statement in accordance with Articles 32(4) and 33 of the Constitution.

Arrangements have been made to conduct the inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament as a charm ceremonial event under the instructions of the Hon. President. Furthermore, there will be no recital of Jaya Mangala Gatha, no formal military honors, gun salutes, or motorcades, the Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Kushan Jayaratne said.

Guests are expected to be seated by approximately 11:00 a.m. The Speaker is scheduled to be welcomed at 11:10 a.m. near the main staircase of the Parliament building. At 11:15 a.m., the Prime Minister will be received, followed by the President’s arrival shortly after.

At 11:20 a.m., the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, will formally welcome President Anura Kumara Dissanayake near the main staircase. The President will then be escorted to the Robbin Room by the Serjeant-at-Arms and Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms, thereafter leading the procession with carrying the mace, followed by the President, the Speaker, and the Secretary-General.

Once in the Chamber, the President will preside over the Speaker’s Chair. The Speaker will then take the seat alongside the Secretary General during this occasion. The President will deliver the Government’s Policy Statement, after which the session is expected to adjourn.

Distinguished guests, including foreign diplomats, have been invited to this inaugural session. According to Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Kushan Jayaratne, invitations for the event were sent electronically (E-Invitations).

News

Three injured in Kosgama shooting, including 12-year-old girl

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

editor

Three people, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured in a shooting incident at Suduwella, Kosgama, early this morning (6), police said.

They said the victims were travelling in a three-wheeler when two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire using a pistol-type weapon.

The injured include a 30-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter, both residents of Avissawella, as well as a 44-year-old man.

All three have been admitted to Avissawella Hospital for treatment.

Police said the motive for the attack and the identities of the suspects have not yet been established.

Kosgama Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

News

Four Sri Lankans arrested at BIA with 378 bottles of liquor

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

editor

Four Sri Lankan passengers were arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle in a large consignment of whiskey and cardamom valued at approximately Rs. 15 million.

The suspects, residents of Colombo and Hatton had arrived in the country on IndiGo flight 6E-1183 from Bangalore, India, which landed at 1:00 a.m.

Customs officials uncovered the contraband during baggage checks, finding 378 bottles of whiskey and 132 kilograms of cardamom concealed in 20 pieces of luggage. The items were reportedly purchased from a duty-free shopping complex at a foreign airport.

The four individuals have been detained, and further investigations are being carried out by the Airport Customs Division.

News

Treasury sounds alarm over vehicle import boom’s dollar drain

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2025

editor

The Treasury has warned the Central Bank that the enthusiasm shown in the import of vehicles after the ban was lifted could have a negative impact on foreign reserves and urged that precautionary measures be taken.

A senior Treasury official said that in the five months after the restrictions on the import of vehicles were lifted, Letters of Credit to the value of US$ 742 million have been opened, against the proposed target of allowing up to US$ 1 billion.

Accordingly, the Treasury has advised the Central Bank that as the opening of the LCs and imports has been at a rate faster than anticipated, it should closely study the trend of imports and take remedial measures in advance.

The Treasury has pointed out that the outflow of US dollars could have a serious impact on the foreign currency reserves and also on the exchange rates. As a result, there could be an impact on imports of essentials, including fuel.

The longstanding vehicle import ban was lifted in February this year, and so far more than 18,000 vehicles have been brought into the country, while import levies have earned a tax revenue of Rs 220 billion, Customs Spokesman Seevali Arukgoda told the Sunday Times.

The revenue from vehicle imports has made a significant contribution to the taxes in the form of customs levies amounting to Rs one trillion so far for the year. The Customs revenue target for this year is Rs 2.1 trillion.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)