“The ceremonial sitting will be limited to the delivery of the Policy Statement by President Maithripala Sirisena.As he presides over the House during the function, Parliament cannot take up any other business. The date which Parliament reconvenes has to be decided by the Party Leaders’ during the informal meeting next week,” he explained.

 In the meantime, the Speaker’s Media Division issued a press statement yesterday denying media reports that the ceremonial sitting of Parliament is to cost around Rs.30 million.“The inaugural session on May 8 commences after lunch and therefore no additional sum is being spent by Parliament for food or tea. The spending of Parliament on this date is the same as other normal sitting days,” the press release stated.

The Secretary General further said Parliament will have to appoint a Select Committee in the first instance it takes up the normal business to re-appoint members and Chairmen to the Parliamentary Committees including the COPE and COPA, as they stand dissolved after Parliament was prorogued on April 12.

“The Party Leaders, when they meet next week, will have to decide on the membership of the Selection Committee.Then the members will be announced in the House,” he said.