A Secret Vote to Elect Deputy Speaker Today

A secret vote will be taken up in Parliament today to elect a Deputy Speaker, Parliament Serjeant-at-Arms Anil Parakrama Samarasekara said.

The election of the Deputy Speaker will commence after the oral questions’ round in Parliament when it meets at 1 pm today (5).

He told that ballot boxes and other arrangements necessary for a secret vote will be facilitated today.

The SLFP has proposed the name of National List MP Angajan Ramanathan, while the UNP has decided to field Monaragala District MP Ananda Kumarasiri for the Deputy Speaker post.

The Joint Opposition has decided to propose the name of Gampaha District MP Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle.

The post fell vacant following the resignation of Thilanga Sumathipala, who crossed over from the Government to the Opposition with another 15 SLFP MPs on May 8.