By Yohan Perera and Chathuranga Samarawickrama   

Former State Minister Ajith Mannapperuma is likely to be sworn in as MP to replace Ranjan Ramanayake after the New Year. 

Mr. Mannapperuma told Daily Mirror that he would be sown in after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. “I have heard that the gazette notification pertaining to my appointment as an MP has been issued. Perhaps I would wait till the New Year holidays are over to swear in,” he said.   

Former State Minister was to be appointed to fill the vacancy left by Ranjan Ramanayake, a senior election commission official said.   

He said the Parliament Secretary General had informed the Election Commissioner yesterday about the vacant seat of former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake.   
The Election Commission informed the Gampaha District Returning Officer to name the next-in-line candidate in the District.   

Accordingly, the Gampaha District Government Agent (GA) was informed to nominate the next-in-line candidate in the party, he said.   
Gazette notification naming Mr. Mannapperuma as the replacement for Mr. Ramanayake was issued last evening.