Kandy Municipal Council Opposition Leader Neranjan Wijeyeratne announced today that he will resign from politics to contest for the post of Diyawadana Nilame (Lay Custodian of the Dalada Maligawa).

Wijeyeratne, who served as Diyawadana Nilame from 1985 to 2005 later contested the Municipal Council Election from the United National Party and was elected to the council, becoming its opposition leader.

He was also the Chief Organizer of the UNP in Galagedara Electorate.

Wijeyeratne said that he has already discussed the matter with the Mahanayake Theras.

The term of the current Diyawadana Nilame ends on July 1. The next Diyawadana Nilame should be elected within 90 days.