SLFP MP Ranjith Siyamabalapitiya appointed as Deputy Speaker again

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has been appointed as new Deputy Speaker for the second consecutive time. 

He was appointed after he obtained 148 votes through a manual ballot. The Opposition nominated SJB MP Imtiaz Bakeer Markar who received only 65 votes.

Thanking the ones who voted in support of him, MP Siyambalapitiya said that he stepped down from his position earlier when the Group of SLFP Members became independent and later became an opposition group.

He said that at the time he did not need to resign from the post which is rather independent, yet taking a step forward he took the action to strengthen the action taken by the SLFP group.

He said that he was saddened that the opposition failed to make use of the opportunity which was given to them by his resignation.

Mr Siyambalapitiya’s name was suggested by SLFP member Nimal Siripala de Silva, while the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Rnjith Madduma Bandara proposed the name of Imthiaz Bakeer Maker for the same position.

Prof G.L Peiris told the house that the SLPP would also vote for Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Following that the speaker called for manual voting.

However, the Opposition Leader and the former Leader of the House Kiriella called for a secret ballot without MPs being required to place their names and signatures. However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that members should sign the ballot papers according to standing orders.

Opposition member Earn Wickramaratne citing standing orders said that the secrecy of the identity of the MP’s should be preserved and therefore after the voting the ballot papers should be destroyed before their sight.