Sept 19, Colombo: S.M. Ranjith, the councilor of the North Central Provincial who received the highest number of preferential votes at the election held on September 08, will swear in as the Chief Minister of the North Central Province on Monday the 24th of September, political sources said.

Ranjith gained over 100,000 votes surpassing former Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayaka.

Dissanayaka however claimed he would be re-appointed as the Chief Minister but S.M. Ranjith has fought back. Ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has accordingly decided to appoint Ranjith as the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Ranjith's brother Minister of Wildlife and Agraraian Services S.M. Chandrasena has sent his resignation from the ministerial portfolio to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Chandrasena stated in his letter that he resigned since it was not ethical that two brothers bearing such high positions.