More than 50 new faces in House

The next Parliament will have 56 new faces while some others are returning as MPs after a lapse of several years. Following is a brief account of some of the members elected for the first time.

Ananda Maha Vidyalaya, Elpitiya Sanghamitta Vidyalaya, Galle Awarded an honorary doctorate for services to the Sinhala cinema. . She made her debut with veteran director K. A. W. Perera's Wasana in 1975. She was awarded the prestigious Sarasaviya Best Actress Award four times, in 1991, 1996, 2000 and 2004. Entered politics from the Southern Provincial Council in 2014.

63,955 St. Thomas’ College, Matara Holds a degree in Management (University of Sri Jayawardanapura) Entered politics and was the Chairman, Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (UPFA) in March 2011 and in the following year. He contested the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council from the UNP and was elected.

67,841 Karunaratne Paranavithana (UNP)

Dippitigala Maha Vidyalaya, Lellopitiya. St. Aloysius Vidyalaya, Ratnapura Holds a MA in International Politics (Bradford) and a BA (Hons.) (Colombo) Former Director General, SLBC, Former Director, Editorial of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Former chief executive officer of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and served as Consul General of Sri Lanka in Canada.

47,257 Siriwardena Vidyalaya, Yatiyantota Nalanda Vidyalaya, Colombo Was employed in the estate sector. Entered politics following in his father’s (Minister Vincent Perera’s) footsteps. Entered politics in 1991 as the Chairman of the Yatiyantota Pradeshiya Sabha and since 1997 has been serving as a provincial council member. Sandith Samarasinghe (UNP)

Trinity College, Kandy Holds degrees from universities in Australia and the US. Entered politics in 2001 under the guidance of former Minister Rukman Senanayake and thereafter became a provincial council member in 2012.

49,449. Dr. Thusitha Wijemanne (UNP)

GALLE DISTRICT

RATNAPURA DISTRICT

KEGALLE DISTRICT

KURUNEGALA DISTRICT

St. Jospeh’s Balika Vidyalaya, Kegalle. Ferguson High School, Ratnapura Passed out as a doctor from the Ruhunu University and served in several hospitals throughout the country and in the Ragama Teaching Hospital. Also served as the Judicial Medical Officer at the Avissawella hospital. Entered politics in 2004 by contesting the provincial council elections. Since 2004 has won seats at two other provincial elections in 2008 and 2012 and went on to become the Opposition Leader of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council. Tharaka Balasooriya (UPFA)

50,893

Colombo International School. Holds an MA in management (Wales, UK) and a double degree from Wisconsin University, USA) Entered politics under the influence of his parents – former Minister Dr Jagath Balasuriya and former Sothern Province Governor Kumari Balasuriya. Was first elected to the provincial council in 2012. Sarathi Dushmantha Mithrapala (UPFA)

73,404

Kabulumulla Vidyalaya, Ruwanwella Primary School and Ananda College, Colombo.Completed a degree in law from London and is an Attorney at law by profession. Son of former Minister H.R.Mithrapala. First elected to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council in 2008 and has been representing the Deraniyagala electorate.

64, 836 Thushara Indunil Amerasinghe (UNP) Graduated from the University of Sri Jayawardanapura Elected to the Panduwasnuwara Pradeshiya Sabha in 2004. In the following year was elected as a member of the North Western Provincial Council and was re-elected in 2013 to the same council. After former UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara resigned Mr. Amerasinghe was appointed as the UNP organiser for Panduwasnuwara.

Navulle Maha Vidyalaya, Demodara Completed G.C.E.(O/L) exam and thereafter entered the Police Department. Served as a Sub Inspector of Police. Elected to the Ella Pradeshiya Sabha in 1997 and became the Chairman of the Ella Pradeshiya Sabha in 2006. Was elected as a member of the Uva Provincial Council in 2014.

64,418

Aravinda Kumar (UPFA) St. Joseph’s College, Gampola St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota Was employed in the estate sector and thereafter was the Secretary of former Minister P.Chandrasekaran. Elected to the Uva Provincial Council In 2010 from the Upcountry People’s Front. Chaminda Wijesiri (UNP)

64,359

53,741

St. Joseph’s College, Bandarawela S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela Passed G.C.E. (A/L) and currently completing a degree in Business Adminstration. Was first elected to the Bandarawela Pradeshiya Sabha in 2006 under the SLFP ticket and in 2011 joined the UNP. In the same year he became the first Mayor of the Bandarawela Municipal Council. Mylvaganam Thilakarajah (UNP)

Highlands College, Hatton St. Theresa’s School, Kilinochchi Holds a second Upper Class degree in B Com from the University of Colombo and passed the Diploma stage in Certified Management Accountancy . Also completed a Diploma in Journalism course from the University of Colombo and is following an LLB degree program at the Open University of Sri Lanka,. Currently General Secretary of the Workers’ National Front and Deputy General Secretary of the National Union of Workers - a trade union.

67,761. Rohini Wijeratne (UNP)

58,291.

BADULLA DISTRICT

NUWARA ELIYA DISTRICT

A Diploma holder in teaching Has been activey involved in politics along with her husband, Sanjeewa Kaviratna, a former journalist and a provincial council member who suddenly passed away last year. She is the daughter of former UNP MP Wijeratne Banda who represented the Matale District.

41,766

Imran Mahroof (UNP)

Royal College, Colombo Holds a Diploma in Management and Banking Started his political career as a member of the Eastern Provincial Council in 2010.

32,582

MATALE DISTRICT

TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT

BATTICALOA DISTRICT

Sadasivam Viyalendran (ITAK)

Veppavettuwan Govt Tamil school, Chenkaladi and Eravur Tamil Maha Vidyalam, Batticaloa Holds BA degree from the Eastern University and a MA from Madurai Kamarasar University, Tamil Nadu Currently working as the managing director of a private institute.

39,321

Gnanamuttu Sirinesan (ITAK)

A.T.K. school, Vavunativu and Vantharumoolai Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, Sittaandi Holds a BA degree from Peradeniya University. An MA in politics. Retired from public service. Was serving as Deputy Educational Director of Manmunai West Zonal Educational Office. Following his retirement he entered politics this year.

48,821

(To be continued next week)