Shantha Bandara resigns from Parliament

• Likely to be reappointed to fill seat vacated by late Salinda Dissanayake 

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) National List MP Kuda Vidanalage Shantha Bandara has tendered his resignation from Parliament with effect from 5 August.

Bandara took oaths on 8 January in Parliament, after he was nominated by UPFA to fill the seat vacated by lawmaker M.L.A.M. Hizbullah, who was appointed Governor of the Eastern Province. Bandara’s appointment was made under Article 99A of the Constitution. 

Bandara, having received 42,829 votes in the last General Election, stood next in the Kurunegala District UPFA nomination list, which was vacated with the recent death of MP Salinda Dissanayake. According to political sources, Bandara will be re-appointed to Parliament to fill the vacant seat from the Kurunegala District, while making room to appoint another MP from the National List. (AH)