MP Ranjith De Zoysa (57), who had been receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Singapore, passed away on the 4th of December 2019.Two days later, Parliament’s Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake informed the Election Commission of the vacancy in the 8th Parliament since the passing away of MP De Zoysa.

The candidate for the vacated parliamentary seat was chosen from the UPFA preferential list from the Ratnapura District Returning Officer.The Election Commission subsequently issued the Gazette notification declaring the name of Waruna Priyantha Liyanage as the replacement for late MP De Zoysa.