2015 revolution is not over yet - President

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The 2^nd session of the 8^th parliament commenced today (May 8) under the auspices of President Maithripla Sirisena. President Maithripala Sirisena was accompanied by a mounted escort to open the sessions, keeping with British Parliamentary Tradition. The President was welcomed to Parliament by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament. Thereafter, a guard of honor and a gun salute was accorded to the President. The President was then escorted to the Robing Room by the Speaker and the Secretary-General of Parliament, here the Head of State was welcomed by school students who recited the Jaya Mangala Gatha. Addressing Parliament the Head of state said this is not the time for the country, for parties and groups to have a political struggle, but a time to resolve the challenges and issues before them. He said, to make this priority a reality, the political struggle between parties in the national government and the power struggle between the government and opposition has to be resolved. The president noted that it is the people who suffer the consequences of these power struggles. President Maithripala Sirisena said that there are various criticisms and allegations that are raised against the government and as a government, they will humbly draw attention to all of these allegations. He went on to say that the 2015 revolution he gave leadership to is not over yet. The president also spoke about the commitment to strengthen national reconciliation. According to the president the basis of a stable country is the national reconciliation and to ensure true reconciliation it is important to introduce new structures of political decision making. He also said that to achieve these objectives, he believes that its the need of the hour to strengthen the provincial council system. Furthermore, he spoke of fraud and corruption in the country. He said, working against fraud and corruption and wastage is a nations self-defense. President Sirisena stated that the new session which began today (May 8) should be considered as an opportunity to fulfill the people's aspirations. Concluding his address, President Maithripala Sirisena adjourned parliament until 1 PM tomorrow (May 9). The 16 SLFP MPs who defected from the government following the No Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister in April, sat in the opposition today (May 8). Following the conclusion of Parliamentary proceedings, a ceremony was organized at the entrance of Parliament to welcome these MPs. WATCH VIDEO https://www.facebook.com/NewsfirstSL/videos/1940565449337037/