Ranjan’s seat: Ajith Mannapperuma waits untill legal formalities are met

Whilst stating the legal formalities need to be completed for him to take oaths as an MP, former Deputy Minister Ajith Mannaperuma who is in line to fill the vacancy created in Parliament, if former fellow parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake who is convicted for contempt of court loses his seat, said his swearing in might be delayed.  

Mr. Mannaperuma told the Daily Mirror that he will not be sown in immediately as legal formalities have to be fulfilled.  I will not take oaths soon, as MP Ramanayake was convicted only on Tuesday and legal formalities have to be fulfilled for me to do so,” he said.

If Mr. Ramanayake loses his seat, the Elections Commission has to notify it through a gazette notification and the SJB General Secretary has to nominate the next eligible nominee in the list. Accordingly, Mr. Mannaperuma is stands next in the list with 47,212 votes. 
However, he can only take oaths only after the Elections Commission gazettes his name.  

Meanwhile, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara while speaking to the Daily Mirror said his party has sought legal advice on the matter. “We have sought legal advice with regards to the situation pertaining to Mr. Ramanayake’s verdict through our lawyers and are awaiting their response,” he said.(Yohan Perera)