However, The District Returning Officer of Kurunegala had appointed H. M. D. B. Herath to fill in the MP seat made vacant by the demise of MP Salinda Dissanayake. The gazette notification on the relevant notification was issued on the 09th of September.Shantha Bandara later stated that he hopes to discuss and take further action over not appointing him to the vacant UPFA Kurunegala District MP seat.