The Department of Government Printing has released the Extraordinary Gazette notice that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued, dissolving the Sri Lankan Parliament with effect from midnight on yesterday, 24.
The proclamation calls for the new Parliament to convene on November 21, 2024, and dissolves the current Parliament with effect from midnight on this day.
Additionally, it has set November 14, 2024, as the date for the election of new MPs.
“General Election in Sri Lanka on November 14”
The notice published in the Gazette further details the nomination period, which runs from October 4 to October 11, 2024, at 12 noon, during which time nomination papers must be received by the Returning Officers.
In accordance with Section 10 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, and in exercise of the authority granted to him by Article 70 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the President has issued the Gazette.
Dissanayake, the head of the alliance between the People’s Liberation Front (JVP) and the National People’s Power (NPP), defeated 38 rivals and received nearly 5.6 million votes, or 42.3%, of the total cast during the course of the weekend.
Dissanayake vowed throughout the election campaign to call for early elections and dissolve the Parliament if he won. The five-year term of the present Parliament ends in August of next year.
In the 225-member parliament of Sri Lanka, his party had just three legislators.
Dissanayake took office on Monday and on Tuesday nominated Harini Amarasuriya, a first-time lawmaker and professor, as the new prime minister, making her the third woman to hold the position.
He also named a three-member Cabinet that day, which included himself, Vijitha Herath of the NPP, and Amarasuriya. This will function as a caretaker government until the elections.
Meanwhile, the Department of Government Information reports that President Dissanayake will address the country at 7.30 p.m. today, September 25, and make a special speech.
