September 03, Colombo (LNW): Karunarathna Paranawithana of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was officially sworn in as a Member of Parliament today (03), succeeding Thalatha Athukorala, who recently resigned.
Paranawithana took his oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena during the commencement of parliamentary proceedings.
Paranawithana’s appointment follows the Election Commission’s gazetting of his name on 28 August 2024, after the Ratnapura District seat was vacated by Athukorala’s resignation.
His political career includes serving as Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media and Deputy Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training.
Before entering politics, he held the position of Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media but stepped down to contest in the 2015 parliamentary elections under the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG).
Thalatha Athukorala, who stepped down on 21 August 2024, had a distinguished political career, having first been elected to Parliament in 2004. She successfully retained her seat in the 2010, 2015, and 2020 elections, representing the Ratnapura District.
