Mahinda Rajapaksa to take oath as Sri Lanka’s PM for 4th time tomorrow
Team Udayavani, Aug 8, 2020, 5:09 PM IST
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s former president Mahinda Rajapaksa will be sworn in as the country’s new prime minister for the fourth time at a historic Buddhist temple on Sunday, consolidating the hard-line political dynasty’s grip on power.
The 74-year-old Sri Lanka People’s Party (SLPP) leader, who polled over 500,000 individual preference votes, the highest ever recorded by a candidate in the history of elections, will take the oath of office for the ninth Parliament at the sacred Rajamaha Viharaya in Kelaniya, a north Colombo suburb, according to an official statement.
The SLPP, led by Mahinda, registered a landslide victory in the general election, securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament needed to amend the Constitution to further consolidate the powerful Rajapaksa family’s grip on power.
It won in 145 constituencies, bagging a total of 150 seats with its allies, a two-thirds majority in the 225-member Parliament. It polled 6.8 million votes (59.9 per cent).
The Cabinet of Ministers will be sworn-in on Monday, followed by the swearing-in of the state and deputy ministers, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
H1B initial registration period to close on March 22
‘Overseas Friends of BJP’ organises Silicon Valley ‘havan’ to pray for PM Modi’s re-election
Defence minister Rajnath Singh and Austin discuss growing momentum in defence ties between India and US
Pakistan conducts airstrikes inside Afghanistan; 8 people killed
Putin is poised to extend his rule in highly orchestrated vote even as Russians quietly protest
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Cal HC refuses urgent hearing of demolition matters, says “let human lives be saved”
Manipur govt in favour of UPSC exam centres outside state: Delhi HC told
Himachal: BJP delegation meets chief electoral officer, complains of model code of conduct violations
Suspected honor killing: Couple brutally murdered
PM Modi’s ‘400 paar’ claim ‘hollow’, INDIA bloc will get clear majority to form govt: Baghel