SL parliament elects new Deputy Speaker uncontested

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 08 July 2008, 08:58 GMT]
Priyankara Jayaratne was elected unopposed as Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Tuesday. SL Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake proposed and Nimal Sripala de Silva, Leader of the House seconded the name of Priyankara Jayaratne for the post of Deputy Speaker that fell vacant with the resignation of Geethanjana Gunawardene on July 4, parliamentary sources said.

Speaker W.J.M.Lokkubandara presided.

The new Deputy Speaker was elected to parliament in the 2004 general election from the Puththa'lam district in northwestern province on the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) ticket.

Meanwhile, Geethanjana Gunawardene, former Deputy Speaker is expected to be appointed as a minister, according to informed sources.