Ranjith Siyambalapitiya who was elected as Deputy Speaker on Thursday by way of a secret ballot in Parliament resigned from the post last evening.

In a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Kegalle District SLFP MP said that his decision to take up the post has turned public opinion against him and he did not want to  be an enemy to the people.

“Till Thursday morning I was under the impression I would be supported unanimously by all in Opposition but after the Government announced they were supporting me, the SJB decided to field another candidate which led to the secret ballot and my election. This process has left people angry and as someone who understands the plight of the people, I want to support their cause wholeheartedly,” he said in the letter.

It was his second resignation from the post when the SLFP decided to join Opposition ranks in April. 

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