Anura, Charitha get top Ministry Secretary posts

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday appointed 18 new Secretaries to various Ministries with Anura Siriwardena assigned to Ministry of Industry and Commerce and former Central Environment Authority Chief Charitha Herath taking over as Secretary to the Ministry of Media.

Siriwardena was previously Secretary Ministry of Coconut Development Board and Janatha Estate Development whilst he also served as Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade. He was formerly Chairman and CEO of ITN whilst currently serves on several Boards of listed companies including NDB.

Despite much speculation, no change has been made to Ministry of Finance and Planning as well as Ministry of Economic Development, suggesting Dr. P.B Jayasundera will remain in office.

The following are the newly-appointed Secretaries:

Anura Siriwardena – Secretary, Ministry of Industries and Commerce

Charitha Herath – Secretary, Ministry of Mass Media and Information

Dr. T.R.C. Ruberu – Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation

W.A. Nihal Somaweera – Secretary, Ministry of Coconut Development and Janatha Estate Development

G.K.D. Amarawardena – Secretary, Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade

Dr. D. Nihal Jayathilake – Secretary, Ministry of Health

A.M. Jayawickrema – Secretary, Ministry of Sports

M.P.C Herath – Secretary, Ministry of Public Relations and Public Affairs

W.N. Bandusena – Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Reforms

U.R. Senevirathne – Secretary, Ministry Productivity Promotion

Lalith Kannangara – Secretary, Ministry of Indigenous Medicine

Wasantha Ekanayake – Secretary, Ministry of Art and Cultural affairs

P.H.L.W. Perera – Secretary, Ministry of Construction, Engineering Services, Houses and Common Amenities

Emelda Sukumar – Secretary, Ministry of Social Services

P. H.J.B. Sugathadasa – Secretary, Ministry of Resettlement

R.A.A.K. Ranawaka – Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils

M.K.B. Dissanayake – Secretary, Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs

K.P.K. Perera – Secretary, Ministry of Languages and Social Integration