Dallas sworn in amidst fanfare

by Ranil Wijayapala and Bharatha Malawarachchi

UPFA National List nominee Dallas Alahapperuma was yesterday sworn in as a Member of Parliament before Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara.

He fills the vacancy left by late Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

The new MP who is no stranger to Parliament being one time Deputy Minister was given a rousing welcome by members of both sides of the divide particularly his former colleagues.

He was seen swamped by Ministers and MPs shortly after taking his seat in the Chamber. Artistes and media personnel were present in the Public Gallery to witness the swearing in. Alahapperuma himself a former journalist and also closely linked with the artistic field started his political career as an SLFP student activist at the Colombo Law College.

His foray into national politics came in 1993 when he contested the Provincial Council Election obtaining the highest preference vote in the Southern Province as a PA candidate.

In the General Election that followed one year later he entered Parliament securing the highest preference vote in the all island stakes and was subsequently appointed a Deputy Minister.