The Prime Minister speaking at an orientation seminar held for the newly elected Members of the 8th Parliament pointing out that a request was made from the Speaker to submit at the end of the workshop a list of new MPs who participated in the workshop and only those who are being approved by the Speaker would be given funds from the decentralized budget.

 

 

The major responsibilities of the parliament are to introduce a new electoral system and a constitution Wickremasinghe emphasised. He further said that measures will also be taken to broadcast live the parliamentary proceedings.

 

 

Addressing the new MPs, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said that the present parliament with a new political vision  should set an example to the entire country.

 

 

The Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dassanayake delivered the welcome address. Chief Government Whip Minister Gayantha Karunatilaka and United Nations Resident Coordinator and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme Subinay Nandy were among those present at the launch of the workshop.