John to act for Ranil

Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga has been appointed to deputise for Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who will be out of the country from November 8 to 17.

In a letter to the Speaker, Opposition Leader Wickremesinghe states: "I write to inform you that I will be out of the country from 8-17 November, 2011 on an official business. Hon John Amaratunga, Chief Opposition Whip, will deputise for me in Parliament."