Jayampathy resigns

• Saman Rathnapriya’s name sent to fill vacated UNP National List MP seat: UNP Gen. Secy

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

UNP national list lawmaker President’s Counsel Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne tendered his resignation to the Secretary General yesterday in Parliament. 

His resignation will be effective from 20 January. Wickramaratne, a lawyer by profession, entered Parliament following the 2015 General Elections on the national list of the United National Party (UNP). He was the Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Unity Government. UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam yesterday confirmed that civil society activist Saman Rathnapriya’s name had been sent to fill the UNP National List MP seat vacated by Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne’s resignation.

According to Section 64 (5) of Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, the Secretary General of Parliament will inform the Commissioner of Elections of Wickramaratne’s resignation and will seek a nomination from the national list. Upon receiving the letter from the Secretary General, the Commissioner of Elections will seek a suitable name from the UNP General Secretary. The nomination received from the UNP will be submitted to the Secretary General of Parliament and will be sworn in as a Member of Parliament. 

With the number of sittings in February limited to six days and the General Election just around the corner, the lawmaker replacing Wickramaratne will not be eligible for a pension but can obtain a duty-free vehicle permit.