Civil society activist Saman Rathnapriya has been appointed a national list MP of the UNP.

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said Rathnapriya's name has been sent to the Elections Commission.

Rathnapriya will replace Dr. Jayampathy Wickremaratne who resigned from his parliamentary seat yesterday.

Rathnapriya is also the head of a nursing officers union.