The UNP parliamentary seat in Matale, which fell vacant upon the death of UNP MP Alick Aluvihare will go to UPFA Central Provincial Councillor Nandimithra Ekanayaka,

who obtained the next highest preferential votes on the UNP list at the 2004 general election, according to sources.

If the seat goes to Ekanayake who is now with the government the UNP will lose another seat in Parliament. UNP at present has 42 seats in Parliament. Ekanayake polled 333,017 votes at that election.

The UNP is likely dispute Ekanayake’s claim on technical grounds, The Island learns.