Vajira Abeywardena was sworn in as the United National Party’s National List parliament today (July 27). He took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.

A Gazette Extraordinary was issued on July 22, appointing Vajira Abeywardena to the United National Party’s National List parliamentary seat left vacant after President Ranil Wickremesinghe was elected to the office of Head of State.

The gazette notification was published by the Election Commission pursuant to the powers conferred by Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 01 of 1981 and the provisions of the Constitution.

Last week, Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake had informed Chairman of the Election Commission Nimal G. Punchihewa in writing of a vacancy in the House after Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the President of Sri Lanka.

President Wickremesinghe took oaths before Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the parliamentary complex on July 21.

On the same day, he had as informed the Secretary-General in writing that his resignation was effective from July 21 as he has assumed duties as the Head of State.

Vajira Abeywardena was elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka for the first time from Galle District representing the UNP at the 1994 election. Thereon, until the year 2010, Abeywardana has been elected to parliament at every election from Galle District representing the United National Party.

In 2015 parliamentary elections he was elected to the Parliament of Sri Lanka representing the Galle district.

He has worked in the capacity of the Minister of State Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and as the Minister of State Administration, Management and Reform Projects. He is currently the chairman of the United National Party.

Abeywardana, born in 1961, is an alumnus of Mahinda Vidyalaya, Galle. He also holds a degree in engineering from the University of Moratuwa.