Fonseka takes oaths as MP

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – 

Our Lobby Correspondent

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday took oaths as a Member of Parliament from the UNP. According to a last-minute Gazette, the Secretary General of the Parliament has informed the Election Commission under Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 35 of 1988, the vacancy occurring in the membership of the 8th Parliament with the death of M.K.D.S. Gunawardhane will be filled by Field Marshal Fonseka, nominated from the UNP. His nomination was also confirmed by the UNP Secretary.

Based on these two recommendations,  the Election Commission, in the exercise of the powers conferred on the Commission by Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981 to be read together with the provisions of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, pronounced Field Marshal Fonseka elected as a member of the 8th Parliament.