Mahinda Samarasinghe to leave Parliament for diplomatic posting in the US

COLOMBO (News 1st); Ruling Party MP Mahinda Samarasinghe on Tuesday (23) told the Parliament that he will be stepping down as a member, to take up the vacant post of Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the United States of America.

He said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested him to take up the position, and he accepted that request.

"I plan on resigning from the post of Member of Parliament in the coming days and leave for the United State of America on the 29th of November," he said.

Samarasinghe said it is important for Sri Lanka be present at the United Nations Human Rights Council, at a time when the United States of America is to sit at the UNHRC as a member from 2022.

"It is important for us to have good relationships with the US. I am heading over there to ensure that it is achieved," he told the house.