Parliament Dissolved, New Election Scheduled Soon

News Today: Parliament dissolved and new election scheduled in Sri Lanka

Parliament will be dissolved tonight, with a Parliamentary Election expected soon, according to a senior source from the National People’s Power (NPP). Following Dinesh Gunawardena’s resignation as Prime Minister, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is expected to appoint an interim cabinet, consisting of just four ministers, including himself. The 15 portfolios will be distributed among these ministers.

President Dissanayake is set to retain critical portfolios such as Tourism, Defence, Finance, Justice, Industry, and Investment Promotion, while the soon-to-be-appointed Prime Minister will take on the roles of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education, and Mass Media.

NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is rumored to be the acting Prime Minister, with senior MP Vijitha Herath and newly sworn-in MP Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi expected to take on several other key portfolios. Nipuna Arachchi recently took his oath as an MP, filling the vacancy left by President Dissanayake in the Colombo electorate.

Sources from NPP indicated that a Parliamentary Election would be held within two months of the dissolution of Parliament. President Dissanayake is anticipated to announce the official date for the election and when the new Parliament will convene following the election.

After his swearing-in as the 9th Executive President, Dissanayake met with tri-forces commanders and senior party members. NPP is expected to launch its campaign for the upcoming Parliamentary Election immediately after tonight’s dissolution.

The MP who secures the highest votes in their electorate will be eligible to be appointed as the new Prime Minister.