New Parliament celebrates 30th anniversary :

Citadel of parliamentary democracy

by C. Kuruppu

“I address this Session of Parliament on the historic occasion when the hopes and expectations of the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Malay and all people of our country for several decades, to see a Sri Lanka that is free of murderous terrorism, have been realised. As you already know our Motherland has been completely freed from the clutches of separatist terrorism. From now on it is only the laws enacted by this sovereign Parliament that will be in force in every inch of Sri Lanka.”

President Mahinda Rajapaksa
(The address to Parliament on May 19, 2009)

It is considered that the Parliament which embodies the legislative power is the highest institution of any democratic country. Accordingly, we believe that the Parliament at Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte which celebrates its 30th anniversary today is the highest apex body of the country in which the people's sovereignty and democracy rests.

The huge Parliamentary Complex provides shelter to many a versatile and gifted politician and provides opportunity for the expression of their views freely and collective decision-making. The magnificent building is also the forum for democratic voices of people’s representatives who protect independence and democratic rights. The main functions of Parliament are law making, scrutiny of the executive, ventilation of public grievances through public petitions and questions in Parliament, and the control of public finance. Hence, Parliament reflects the representative political will of the nation.

In 1833, the first Legislative Council met in the building opposite the picturesque Gordon Gardens, now occupied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The scene was shifted to the Old Parliament Building facing the Indian Ocean at Galle Face on January 29, 1930 which is the second building made for the purpose where the Presidential Secretariat is functioning at the moment. The third building erected for the country’s legislature is the new Parliament building at Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte which was opened on April 29, 1982, exactly thirty years ago.

Temple of democracy

Consequent to constitutional reforms from the first Legislative Council in 1833, the name of the Legislature was changed several times as follows: the Legislative Council (1833-1931); the State Council (1931-1947); the House of Representatives (1947-1972); the National State Assembly (1972-1978); and the Parliament 1978 onwards.

On the recommendations of the Soulbury Commission the Westminster model reform was introduced with bicameral legislature – the Senate (Upper House) and the House of Representatives (Lower House) – existed until the abolition of the Senate in 1971. The first Republican Constitution formed in 1972 introduced the unicameral legislature to our country and the same feature continued in the 1978 Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka too. The present Parliament is a unicameral one.

When the new building at Sri Jayewardenepura, Kotte was ceremonially opened on April 29, 1982 at the auspicious time of 10.28 a.m. by the then President J. R. Jayewardene, he said: “ In this Temple of Democracy let us so conduct ourselves for the welfare of the many that generations yet unborn may say that within this Chamber our words and conduct represented our finest hours.”

Even today, the glory and the beauty of that Parliamentary Complex can be seen on the same small island “Duwa” on the blue waters of “Diyawanna Oya”, an ancient waterway in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. “Duwa” is a 67,800 square metre island about 15 km east of Colombo, in the middle of the 300-acre Diyawanna lake between Beddegana, off Pitakotte and Battaramulla. The Parliament building itself covers 48,100 square metres. Geoffrey Bawa of Edward Reid and Begg was the Chief Architect and a Japanese consortium of two Mitsui Companies constructed the Building within 26 months from November 1979.

The six-storeyed main building including the ground floor is 275 feet in length, 157 feet in width and 118 feet in height. The entire structure including five surrounding buildings to the main building is carried on 30-45 feet in height 2013 numbers of heavy reinforced concrete piles foundation.

Terraced slopes

Six security huts provide the outer security to the complex. The finest of steel and teak have been used on the roof. In addition, 100 tons of copper sheets cover the roof. A considerable portion of building material was imported from Japan. Reputed Sri Lankan carpenters supplied all furniture. The Members of Parliament, the staff and the public have their respective entrances situated on the ground floor. The Members’ entrance on the east side is adorned by a mural carved in mahogany by Mahinda Abeysekera and depicts a sylvan scene. The staff entrance situated on the west side is adorned by a mural depicting a marsh, done by Anil Gamini Jayasooriya.

These two entrances lead to one corridor, the walls of which are lined with photographs of Members of Parliament – past and present. The computerised access control system enhances the protection and gives information on insiders at any moment.

The first floor is approached externally on the north side by a broad flight of steps and a walkway flanked by terraced slopes and ornamental pools, from which water is pumped from hidden pumping plants and cascades down the terraced slopes.

The walkway leads to a pillared verandah running the full length of the front of the building, perpendicular to the walkway. At the end the verandah leads to the ceremonial hall.

On the verandah are two large ornamental bells, gifted to Parliament by Mitsui Construction Company. The ceiling of the verandah is painted with a colourful tile design, which is the creation of Ms. Ena de Silva. Across the verandah in the centre is a large bronze sliding door, and behind it is a pair of gates made of iron and silver. These gates lead to a rectangular lobby. Three flights of steps from the lobby lead to the beautiful, elegantly embellished door of the main Chamber.

This door, measuring 12 feet by 12 feet, gives a startling three-dimensional effect. It is made of copper and is silver-filmed. On this door is inscribed, in the style of ancient rock inscriptions, the preamble to the Constitution of Sri Lanka in Sinhala, Tamil and English. On the borders are carved attractive lotus designs and decorative motifs, which depict the art of ancient Sri Lanka. The rear of the door carries a floral design from an ancient Sri Lanka canopy in the British Museum. The masterpiece of art is the work of metal sculptor D. Wimal Surendra.

The Chamber, the center-piece of the whole building, on which meticulous care has been lavished, is gorgeous and a place of arresting beauty.

It is rectangular in shape and occupies the height of two floors. A splendid tent like billowing ceiling of 20,000 anodised aluminium trays, one foot square, linked together, covers the entire roof.

Eighteen silver flags-banners and standards of kings, temples and korales on ornamental stainless steel posts and a seven foot tall insignia of Sri Lanka form a halo above the Chamber, giving it dignity.

The dominant work of craftsmanship, however, is the distinctive and magnificent giant chandelier of beaten copper, plated in silver, hanging from the centre of the roof directly beneath the suspended coffered ceiling giving an oriental touch.

This dazzling spectacle was designed and constructed by Laki Senanayake. The rich brown tamarind veneer wood-panelling from Malaysia lends elegance. The plush Indian red carpet covering the entire floor adds richness and solemnity.

Sri Lankan experts

Expert knowledge of world famous and experienced architects, engineers, technicians, skilled and unskilled workers from Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka has been obtained in completing this huge complex. Sri Lankan experts such as Dr. L.P.T. Manjusri, D. Wimal Surendra, Senaka Senanayake, S.S.L. Surendra, Somabandu Vidyapathi, Laki Senanayake, Mahinda Abeysekera, Ena de Silva, and Anil Gamini Jayasuriya have added their expertise smoothening the building by painting and sculpturing.

New Parliament at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, for the past 30 years, has enacted 1,395 pieces of legislations including new laws and amendments to the existing laws for the benefit of the people of this country. During this period the Parliament faced six General Elections and a Referendum.

It conducted 25 Sessions with around 3240 sitting days of Parliament. Over 1,518 Members of Parliament have been elected and about 780 new MPP have taken the oath/affirmation before the Parliament.

Six Presidential Elections were also held during the past three decades and President J.R. Jayewardene (Feb.1978–Jan.1989), President R. Premadasa (Jan.1989-May 1993), President D.B. Wijetunga (May 1993-Nov.1994), President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga (Nov. 1994-Nov. 2005) and the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa have addressed the Parliament at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Prime Ministers R. Premadasa, D.B. Wijetunga, Ranil Wickremasinghe, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Mrs. Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, Mahinda Rajapaksa and present Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne have served as Prime Ministers of this Parliament.

Speakers

The Speaker is the head of Parliament and is the third citizen of the country. The outstanding qualities of the speakership are its independence and impartiality. Eight Speakers have occupied the Speaker’s Chair for the past 30 years; viz. M.A. Bakeer Markar (Sept. 1978-Aug. 1983), the first Speaker of the Sri Jaywardenepura Kotte Pariament; E.L. Senanayake (Sept. 1983-Dec. 1988); M.H.Mohamed (March 1989-June 1994); K.B.Ratnayake (Aug. 1994-Oct.2000); Anura Bandaranaike (Oct. 2000-Oct. 2001); Joseph Michael Perera (Dec. 2001-Feb. 2004); W.J.M.Lokubandara (April 2004-April 2010), and the present Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.

Among the present Members of Parliament Ranil Wickremasinghe, Joseph Michael Perera, P. Dayaratne, John Amaratunge, Gamini Jayawickrema Perera, R. Sampanthan, and the then Private Secretary to the Speaker A.H.M. Azwer, who were witnesses of the opening of New Parliament on April 29, 1982 are representing Parliament today as at April 29, the memorable day on which we celebrate its 30th anniversary, in the history of Parliament.

The writer is Librarian of Parliament