Parliament to elect new President today (20)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Parliament is scheduled to convene today (20) at 10.00 AM to elect a new President.

The names of three Members of Parliament were proposed and seconded in the Parliament yesterday (19) for the vacancy of the Presidency, with the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Accordingly, the names of Acting President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Member of Parliament Dullas Alahapperuma and Member of Parliament Anura Kumara Dissanayake were proposed.

Member of Parliament Dullas Alahapperuma’s name was proposed by the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and Member of Parliament (Prof.) G.L. Peiris seconded it. Ranil Wickremesinghe's name was proposed by the Leader of the House and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Member of Parliament Manusha Nanayakkara seconded it. Also, Member of Parliament Anura Kumara Dissanayake was proposed by the Member of Parliament Vijitha Herath and Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya seconded it.

Subsequently, the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake announced that the nominations of these three candidates were accepted for Succeeding President following the Presidential Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1981.

Thus, today (20) one of these three MPs is to be elected as the Succeeding President by the votes of the Members of Parliament.

Last week (14) the former President sent his resignation letter to the Speaker. Accordingly, the Parliament was summoned on the 16th and the Secretary General of the Parliament announced to the House that the office of the President has become vacant. Also, he announced that nominations will be accepted by the Members of Parliament to fill the vacancy. Accordingly, yesterday (19) nominations for the post of President were accepted.

After the election Parliament will convene again on the 27th Wednesday.