Opposition Leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando today informed the Governor of the Province that he had secured the majority in the Council.

Fernando had informed that he had the support of 17 members in the Council apart from the two seats held by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

Therefore the former Parliamentarian is likely to be appointed by the Governor as the new Chief Minister of the Uva Province.

Fernando managed to secure the majority when several members of the UPFA crossed over to the opposition following the swearing in of the new President over the weekend. The opposition leader only needed the support of three more members to secure the majority in the Council.

Shasheendra Rajapaksa, the nephew of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is presently the Chief Minister of the Uva Provincial Council.

(Hasitha Ayeshmantha)