UNP's Ananda Kumarasiri elected as the 29th Deputy Speaker

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - UNP Parliamentarian Ananda Kumarasiri was elected to the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament today. Two names were nominated for the post of deputy speaker of parliament that was left vacant when UPFA Parliamentarian Thilanga Sumathipala resigned from the position. UNP Parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana nominated Ananda Kumarasiri to the post while the UPFA MP S.B Dissanayake nominated Dr. Sundarshani Fernandopulle. During the parliamentary session, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan debated on the post of deputy speaker and the nomination of a third candidate which the Prime Minister said was rejected by some members of the Opposition. While steps were being taken to arrange a secret vote to elect the deputy speaker, several parliamentarians of the Tamil National Alliance left the chambers. Though opposition leader R. Sampanthan remained in the chambers he abstained from voting. JVP MPs were absent from the vote. A group of Joint Opposition Parliamentarians also left the chambers when voting began. Thereby with 97 votes, UNP Parliamentarian Ananda Kumarasiri was elected as the 29th Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle received 53 votes.   https://www.facebook.com/NewsfirstSL/videos/1972627766130805/