The Election Commission has officially Gazetted Karunarathna Paranawithana of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant by the resignation of Ratnapura District SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala.
Paranawithana previously held roles as Deputy Minister of Parliament Reforms and Mass Media, as well as Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training.
Before these positions, he served as Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and resigned from this role to run in the 2015 parliamentary elections under the UNP-led alliance, the UNFGG.
On Friday (23), Parliament notified the Election Commission of the vacancy created by Thalatha Athukorala’s resignation.