Nayana Wasalathilake sworn in as SJB MP

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member Nayana Priyankara Wasalathilake was sworn in as a Member of Parliament representing the Badulla District on Friday morning (Jan.12).

The Election Commission on Thursday (Jan.11) published Wasalathilake’s name in the government gazette on Thursday (Ja.11) to fill the parliamentary seat which remained vacant since the resignation of Chaminda Wijesiri from parliament as Badulla District MP earlier this week.

Wasalathilake, who had secured 31,307 votes in the 2020 General Election from the Badulla District, was tipped to fill the vacancy as he was next in line on SJB’s preferential vote list.

Having completed his schooling from Bandarawela St. Thomas College, Wasalathilaka had studied a Culinary Arts Degree and a Business Management Degree in Switzerland. He also has several years of experience as a chef in a major hotel in Australia and a major hotel in Sri Lanka. Wasalathilaka currently owns several local and foreign businesses as an entrepreneur.

Wasalathilaka entered active politics representing the United National Party in 2015.

During the first parliamentary session of 2024 kicked on Tuesday (Jan.09), Wijesiri revealed his intentions to step down as a Member of Parliament, citing personal reasons.

The Communications Department of the Parliament later confirmed that Wijesiri had handed in his resignation to the Secretary-General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera shortly after making the announcement.

The same day, the Secretary-General of Parliament, in accordance with Section 64(1) of Parliamentary Elections Act No.01 of 1981, formally informed the Election Commission of the vacancy in the House.