Gajendrakumar's Parliament seat changed

10-Jul-2026

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Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) leader and Jaffna District MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam's seat in Parliament has been relocated following his written request to the Speaker.

His seat has been shifted to the first position in the front row of the fourth row on the Opposition side. The change came after he requested that his seat be moved away from Independent MP Archchuna Ramanathan, alleging that the latter had repeatedly subjected him to defamatory remarks, threats and abusive language both inside and outside Parliament.

Ponnambalam also argued that, under parliamentary convention, independent MPs should be seated behind recognised political party leaders and senior members. Following the rearrangement, the seats of Democratic Tamil National Alliance MP Selvam Adaikalanathan and Labour Party MP Kader Mastan were also adjusted, while Archchuna Ramanathan's seat remains unchanged.