ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s 9th parliament has seen two members resigning to be President of the country, while 19 posts fell vacant for various reasons, a statement from the assembly said.
Ranil Wickremesinghe became president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa left in July 2022 following social unrest from forex shortages.
Following the election in September 2024 Anura Dissanayake became president.
The Ninth Parliament commenced on August 20, 2020 and was dissolved by the president at midnight on September 24, 2024.
During its lifespan there were 19 vacancies of parliamentary seats according to Article 66 of the Constitution, and 16 members were appointed as new members on 18 occasions.
Some of the vacancies were created by deaths, migrations, new job offers and court rulings.
Accordingly, 241 MPs have represented the Ninth Parliament.
Jayantha Katagoda, who was elected to Parliament from the national list, resigned and Basil Rajapaksa was appointed in his place.
Then National List Member Ajith Nivard Cabral resigned to become central bank governor and Katagoda was again appointed to the vacancy.
When Mujibar Rahman resigned his seat to contest to become mayor of Colombo, A H M Fowzie filled his seat.
Rahman was again appointed to the vacancy created by the unseating of Diana Gamage, due to a court decision on being a dual citizen.
A new MP was not appointed for the vacant seat of Harin Fernando.
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At least 11 Sri Lanka MPs elected in 2020 not any more in Parliament
This Parliament underwent four prorogations; two by Rajapaksa, and two by Wickremesinghe. Accordingly, five sessions were held in the Ninth Parliament.
Parliament convened for a total of 390 days. (Colombo/Oct3/2024)