On the first day of Sri Lanka’s 10th Parliament,
newly elected Jaffna District MP Dr. Archchuna Ramanathan made headlines by occupying the seat traditionally reserved for the Leader of the Opposition. A first-time MP who contested independently in the 2024 General Election, Dr. Ramanathan refused to move when requested by Parliament staff, citing the absence of official seating arrangements and declaring, “We have changed the tradition of the Parliament.” His bold move has sparked debates on parliamentary norms and his unconventional approach to politics.