The Southern Provincial Council will elect a new chairman, deputy chairman and also see the appointment of a new opposition leader, when sessions resume on Tuesday (27).

This follows the election of SPC members Mohan P. de Silva, Vijaya Dahanayake and Buddhika Pathirana to parliament at the last general election. They earlier served as chairman, deputy chairman and opposition leader, respectively.

The new chairman and deputy chairman will be elected by a secret ballot while the opposition leader will be appointed by the UNP leader, SPC’s secretary N. V. L. de Silva said.

The member who polled the highest number of preferences for the UNP from the Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts could be considered for the now vacant opposition leader’s slot, it is learnt.

At the last parliamentary poll, Buddhika Pathirana polled the highest number of preferential votes for the UNP in the Matara district. Mohan P. de Silva polled 48,756 preferences while Vijaya Dahanayake secured 44,463.

Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva will preside when the Council meets again on April 27.