The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said Ajith Mannapperuma will replace MP Ranjan Ramanayake in Parliament.
Speaking to the Daily News SJB General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara said the party cannot determine a replacement for Ramanayake. He said it was up to the Gampaha district Returning Officer to submit Mannapperuma’s name to the National Elections Commission.
Thereafter the Commission will submit the name to the Secretary General of Parliament, after which the SJB member will be sworn-in as MP. Mannapperuma contested the 2020 General Elections from the Gampaha District and holds the highest number of votes from among the SJB members who failed to get selected.
Therefore, as per the provisions of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Mannapperuma will be eligible and his name will be gazetted by the National Election Commission and is expected to take oaths as an MP representing the SJB shortly.
Maddumabandara said Ramanayake’s sentence cannot be appealed as it is a Supreme Court verdict.
He said the matter has been entrusted to a team of lawyers to look into possible legal measures that could be taken regarding this matter.
