G. J. Paris Perera

Gamamedaliyanage John Paris Perera (14 March 1922 - 1976) was a Ceylonese politician.[1][2] He was the Deputy Chairman of Committees and Member of Parliament from 1960 to 1977.[3]

Hon. G. J. Paris Perera
Member of the Ceylonese Parliament for Ja-Ela
In office 1960–1976
Preceded by	Stanley de Zoysa
Succeeded by	Joseph Michael Perera
Personal details
Born	Gamamedaliyanage John Paris Perera 14 March 1922
Died	March 1976 (aged 53–54) Colombo, Sri Lanka
Political party	United National Party

Perera first contested for parliament at the 1956 general election in the Ja-Ela electorate, representing the United National Party (UNP). At the election he polled 19,132 votes (43% of the total vote) but was unsuccessful losing to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate Stanley de Zoysa by 5,249 votes.[4] He re-contested the seat of Ja-Ela at the 4th parliamentary election, held on 19 March 1960, where he defeated the sitting member, de Zoysa, by 3,195 (polling 44% of the total vote).[5] The election results however left neither of Ceylon's two major parties with a majority, with the result being the calling of another election. Perera was subsequently re-elected at the 5th parliamentary election held on 20 July 1960. This time receiving 13,622 votes (50% of the total vote), 2,724 votes ahead of the SLFP candidate, D. Oliver Jayasuriya, and 11,314 votes ahead of de Zoysa.[6]

Perera was also re-elected at the 6th parliamentary election, held on 22 March 1965, receiving 21,867 votes (61% of the total vote),[7][8] and at the 1970 general election, polling 21,657 votes (50% of the total vote). He served as the Deputy Chairman of Committees from 9 March 1968 to 25 March 1970.

In 1976 Perera died whilst still in office.[9][10] A by-election for Ja-Ela electorate was held on 23 April that year, and the seat was filled by Joseph Michael Perera from the UNP.[11]

References

1. "Hon. Perera, Gamamedaliyanage John Paris, M.P." Directory of Past Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
2. Members of the legislatures of Ceylon, 1931-1972. National State Assembly. 1972. p. 114.
3. "Deputy Chairman of Committees". parliament.lk. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
4. "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1956" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
5. "Result of Parliamentary General Election March 1960" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
6. "Result of Parliamentary General Election July 1960" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
7. "Result of Parliamentary General Election 1965" (PDF). Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
8. Abeynaike, H. B. W.; Ameratunga, H. P. (1970). Parliament of Ceylon, 1970. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. p. 61.
9. Fernando, S. J. Anthony (15 October 2003). "Minister John Amaratunga - 25 years a parliamentarian". The Daily News. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
10. Wickramasinghe, Wimal (18 January 2008). "Saga of crossovers, expulsions and resignations etc. Referendum for extention of Parliament". The Island. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
11. "Results of the Parliamentary By-Elections held between 1947 and 1988". Department of Elections, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 19 November 2019.