Freshers in Parliament

Compiled by Dhaneshi Yatawara

 

Namal Rajapaksa	Duminda Silva	Sanath Jayasuriya	Nishantha Muthuhettigama	Thilanga Sumathipala	Dr.Sudarshanee Fernandopulle	Sajin Vas Gunawardane
Sarath Weerasekara	Upeksha Swarnamali	Ranjan Ramanayake	Buddhika Pathirana	Luxman Wasantha Perera	Ruwan Wijewardane

Hambanthota district:

Namal Rajapaksa - UPFA

The first third - generation Rajapaksa to enter the legislature, Namal is the eldest son of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and also the youngest member in the 14th Parliament. A renowned rugger player who captained First XV Rugby team of S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, he is also the President of the Tharunyayata Hetak Organization.

Nuwara Eliya district:

J. Sri Ranga - UNF

A television presenter attached to the Maharaja Group’s Shakthi Tamil channel he is a graduate of the University of Colombo.

Ratnapura District:

Ranjan Ramanayake - UNF

Popular cinema and TV actor who was the Opposition Leader of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council.

Colombo district:

Duminda Silva - UPFA

A former United National Party Western Provincial Council member who later joined the United People’s Freedom Alliance and was elected to the Western Provincial Council.

Thilanga Sumathipala - UPFA

A leading entrepreneur who was a former Cricket Board President, elected to the Western Provincial Council in the last election. Sumathipala is the Chief Organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s Borella electorate. He is the Managing Director of the Lakbima Newspapers.

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Gampaha District :

Ruwan Wijewardane - UNF

First elected to the Western Provincial Council in the previous Provincial Council election obtaining the highest number of preferential votes for the UNP. He is the son of Ranjith Wijewardane, Chairman of the Wijeya Group of Newspapers.

Upeksha Swarnamali - UNF

Popular teledrama actress. Came into the limelight in her title role in “Paba”, the teledrama serial which telecast over ITN.

Dr.Sudarshanee Fernandopulle - UPFA

A consultant medical specialist, Sudarshanee was the wife of late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle. She joined politics following her husband’s assassination.

Badulla district:

Harin Fernando - UNF

Elected to the Uva Provincial Council obtaining highest number of votes in the previous Provincial Council Election. Served as a media spokesperson for former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Matale District:

Luxman Wasantha Perera - UPFA

A lawyer by profession, Luxman Wasantha Perera was the Chief Organizer for the Laggala electorate, and made his first appearance in an election, this time. He is the owner of the Lak F.M. Radio Channel.

Wasantha Aluvihare - UNF

A former Member of Parliament, he is a son of former Minister Elic Aluvihare.

Galle District:

Nishantha Muthuhettigama - UPFA

Former Galle district SLFP organiser and was elected to the Southern Provincial Council in the previous Provincial Council election, coming third. First place in preferential list.

Manusha Nanayakkara - UNF

Journalist-turned-politician, he was a member of the Southern Provincial Council.

First place in preferential list.

Ramesh Pathirana - UPFA

A medical officer by profession, he is the son of former Minister of Education, Richard Pathirana.

Sajin Vas Gunawardane - UPFA

During the previous Provincial Council Elections he was a Member of the Southern Provincial Council and a former Chairman of Mihin Lanka.

Kegalle district :

Kanaka Herath - UPFA

An aerospace engineer by profession he is the son of Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister, Maheepala Herath. Kanaka was the former President of the SLFP Youth Wing of Kegalle district.

Matara district:

Sanath Jayasuriya - UPFA

A world famous cricketer and a former captain of Sri Lanka Cricket team.

Highest number of preferential votes in UPFA list.

Buddhika Pathirana - UNF

A former TV journalist-turned-politician, he was the former Opposition Leader of the Southern Provincial Council. Was elected to the SPC obtaining the highest number of preferential votes in the previous Provincial Council elections.

Highest number of preferential votes from UNF list.

Jaffna district:

Vijayakala Maheswaran - UNF

Wife of the assassinated Parliamentarian T. Maheswaran. A well known social worker who made her first appearance in politics this time. An old girl of Hindu Ladies College, Jaffna.

Digamadulla district:

Sarath Weerasekara - UPFA

Former Director General of Civil Security Department and an ex-Naval officer, holding the rank of Rear Admiral. This is his first appearance in politics. He is also the brother of Maj. Gen. Ananda Weerasekera, who has now joined the Buddhist clergy.