Wimal to sit as backbencher

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa has lost his front row seat in Parliament after the JVP notified the Speaker that Anura Kumara Dissanayake has replaced him as leader of the party's parliamentary group.

The seating arrangements of members were extensively discussed at a party leaders’ meeting, presided by the Speaker at the Parliamentary Complex yesterday (June 16th).

It was decided at the meeting to allocate a seat for Mr. Weerawansa in the second row, as he is neither a former minister nor the leader of a recognized political party.

According to another decision reached, former Minister and SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera will get a front row seat.