In a recent development, the Extraordinary Gazette published by the Election Commission on Thursday (Jan. 11) officially announced the appointment of Nayana Priyankara Wasalathilake, a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant by the resignation of Chaminda Wijesiri.
Wijesiri, who served as the Member of Parliament for the Badulla District, submitted his resignation during the first parliamentary session of 2024 on Tuesday (Jan. 09), citing personal reasons.
Following this announcement, the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, confirmed that Wijesiri had formally submitted his resignation.
In accordance with Section 64(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No.01 of 1981, the Secretary-General of Parliament promptly notified the Election Commission of the vacant seat on the same day. The community had been anticipating the appointment of Nayana Priyankara Wasalathilake, who secured 31,307 votes in the 2020 General Election from the Badulla District and was next in line on the SJB's preferential vote list.
