NewsUnited National Party (UNP) Monaragala District MP Ananda Kumarasiri was elected as the new Deputy Speaker of Parliament a short while ago after a secret vote. Mr Kumarasiri received 97 votes while Gampaha District Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Dr Mrs Sudarshini Fernandopulle received only 53 votes. Speaker Karu Jayasuriya initiated a secret vote this afternoon after both the UNP and SLFP put forward rival candidates for the post of Deputy Speaker left vacant by the resignation of SLFP MP Thilanga Sumathipala. Mrs Fernandopulle, who was among the 16 SLFP MPs who recently quit the Government, received the backing of MPs from the Joint Opposition (JO) during the vote.

Source: Sunday Times June 05, 2018 12:00 UTC