Reggie Ranatunga, father of former Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga, was on Thursday sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
Reggie Ranatunga, who is presently the governor of Sabaragamuwa Province, took oath as MP to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant by the accidental death of Sripathy Sooriyarachchi.
Sri Lanka's Parliamentary system provides for the second highest vote getter in a constituency to succeed an MP in the event of a vacancy due to unforeseen circumstances before the end of the term.
Ranatunga had received 54,464 preferential votes from Gampaha District during the 2004 General Election.
Ranatunga, who is representing the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance, has held several ministerial portfolios under former President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government.
Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, a former minister, and three others including one of his security guards were killed on February 9 when the car they were travelling in veered off the road and hit a tree in Anuradhapura in North-central Sri Lanka.