New Parliament meets on happy note

Sandasen Marasinghe

* Unanimous election of Speaker, Deputy Speaker

* Rash of new faces

* Camaraderie between both sides

The inaugural session of the 14th Parliament ceremonially took place yesterday commencing 8.45 am - the first Parliament to assemble in a Sri Lanka free of terrorism, in over 30 years.

It was also the first Parliament with a overwhelming presence of ruling party legislature with the UPFA securing 144 seats of the 225-member assembly.

A unique feature of the new Parliament was the prolific representation of youth who were seen somewhat overawed by the atmosphere.

Among them were sports personalities, film stars and artistes.

Chamal Rajapaksa was unanimously elected to the office of the Speaker of Parliament after his name was proposed by newly appointed Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and seconded by UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya.

Unlike in the first session of the 2004 Parliament the Speaker was elected unanimously, a far cry from that inaugural session when proceedings dragged till late in the night until a Speaker was finally elected by a single vote majority.

The new Speaker was escorted to the Speaker’s Chair by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and UNP Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya.

Immediately after the official oath taking by the newly elected Speaker before Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Kithulgoda, members collectively took their oaths. Thereafter with the commencement of Public Business of the House with the Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presiding, Priyankara Jayaratne was elected as the Deputy Speaker also unanimously.

His name was proposed by former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka and seconded by John Amaratunga on behalf of the Opposition.

In accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament Nimal Siripala de Silva proposed Jaffna Parliamentarian Chandrakumar Murugesu for the office of Deputy Chairman of Committees and he was also unanimously elected after the proposal was seconded by EPDP leader Douglas Devananda.

There was loud applause from both sides when Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa informed the House that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was accepted as Leader of Opposition in the House .

Former Chief Opposition Whip Joseph Michael Perera was seen in cordial discussion with new Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne.The newly elected young members were seen talking in the back rows of the well. S.B. Dissanayake was seen busy studying some documents seated in the third row returning to Parliament after six years. Meanwhile Namal Rajapaksa clad in the traditional family dress including the trade mark Kurakkan Satakaya was seated in the far back row occupying the seat of uncle Basil Rajapaksa in the last Parliament. Former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka was seated in his usual seat in the front row of the Government benches next to Nimal Siripala de Silva.

Among the new faces most veteran actress Malani Fonseka. She was seen being enthusiastically welcomed by ruling party colleagues. The other new entrant artistes Ranjan Ramanayake and Upeksha Swarnamali were seen talking to each other in the Opposition benches.

The members were seated randomly until the seats were allotted by the Speaker for each member at his discretion.

The Public Gallery was filled with invitees and the special guest among them was First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.

The Parliament was adjourned for May 04.

Immediately after the Parliament adjourned Mervin Silva was seen making a beeline towards Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe offering his greetings and well wishes. He was followed by others. Members were also seen flocking around the new Prime Minister and out-going Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka.