Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Prime Minister of the 9th parliament in Sri Lanka today (09) before his brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The event took place at the historic Kelaniya Rajamaha Vihara amidst chanting of pirith by the Maha Sangha. The religious observances were led by the Maha Nayaka of the Vihara, Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera.
The SLPP scored a landslide victory at the country’s general election on Wednesday (05) obtaining 6,853,690 votes. The party also obtained a near majority by gaining 145 seats in the new parliament. Rajapaksa also polled the highest number of preferential votes received by a candidate in the General Election. Rajapaksa who contested from the Kurunegala electoral district had received a mammoth 527 364 preferential votes.
The oaths ceremony was attended by the Maha Sangha, Diplomats and newly elected MP’s of the government.
