UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya has been unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament. 

His name was proposed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and seconded by former opposition leader Nimal Siripala De Silva. Meanwhile, UPFA MP Thilanga Sumathipala was unanimously elected as the Deputy Speaker.

MP Lakshman Kiriella was elected the leader of the House, Gayantha Karunathilaka was elected Chief Government Whip, and MP S. Adaikalanathan was elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Committee.  

The first sitting of the Eighth Parliament was commenced today (1) at 9.00 a.m. with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena.

 
The newly elected Parliamentarians will take oath during the first session.

President Sirisena will also deliver the official address of the first sitting at 3.00 pm.

President Sirisena, is due to present the Statement of Government Policy at the Ceremonial Sittings of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament.
 
The programme of the ceremony is as follows:-
 
1.40 p.m.    
Invitees arrive and take their seats
 
2.00 p.m.    
Members of Parliament arrive and proceed to the Lobbies
 
2.20 p.m.    
Arrival of the  Speaker and the spouse
 
2.25 p.m.    
Arrival of the Prime Minister and the spouse
 
2.30 p.m.    
Arrival of the  President and the First Lady
 
Received by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament at the Main Steps of the Parliament Building

• Breaking of the Presidential Standard
• Guard of Honour
• National Anthem
• 21 Gun Salute

The President, accompanied by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament and escorted by the Serjeant-at-Arms, the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms and the Assistant Serjeant-at-Arms, proceeds to the Parliament Building
 
Recital of Jayamangala Gatha
 
The President, accompanied by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament, proceeds to the Robing Room of the Parliament Building
 
2.55 p.m.    
Quorum Bells Ring
 
All Members of Parliament will take their Seats in the Chamber of Parliament
 
The President, the Speaker, the Secretary-General of Parliament, the Deputy Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General escorted by the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms proceed to the Parliament Chamber
 
Procession enters the Chamber of Parliament
 
3.00 p.m.    
The President Presides
 
The President Addresses the Parliament
 
The President after his Address adjourns the Sitting
 
The President, the Speaker, the Secretary-General of Parliament, the Deputy Secretary-General, the Assistant Secretary-General and the Deputy Serjeant-at-Arms leave the Chamber escorted by the Sergeant-at-Arms, to the Robing Room
 
The President, accompanied by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament and escorted by the Sergeant-at-Arms, the Deputy Sergant-at-Arms and the Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, proceeds to the Main Steps of the Parliament Building
 
- Guard of Honour
- National Anthem