For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka a toss will determine which candidate will enter parliament if a seat from SLPP in Ratnapura district gets vacated.
Already a debate has arisen over Premalal Jayasekara’s Parliamentary seat after he was convicted of murder.
The Attorney General yesterday informed the Parliamentary Secretary- General and the Ministry of Justice that Jayasekara cannot take a seat in Parliament or exercise his vote due to his sentencing.
In the event Jayasekara is to be removed from his Parliamentary seat, a new MP will have to be selected from among the Ratnapura district SLPP list as a replacement.
However, two candidates from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna had tied after receiving the next highest votes in the Ratnapura district in the General Elections.
The candidates are Ranjith Bandara and Sunny Rohana Kodithuwakku, both receiving 53,261 votes.
Elections Commissioner- General Saman Rathnayake said as the second highest candidate from the Ratnapura district is a tie, a toss will take place to decide on the candidate to replace Premalal Jayasekara in Parliament when the need arise.
He also said that the returning officers in charge of the Ratnapura district will conduct the toss.(Newswire)
Govt objects to AGs stance on Premalal Jayasekara’s parliament seat