Telling advice from President to new State, Deputy Ministers

• Urges setting aside narrow political agendas and serving country following conscience 
• President insists Government will not be toppled

Twenty-one state ministers and 16 deputy ministers of the new Government were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena  yesterday at the Presidential Office – Pix by President’s Media

Three new Ministers were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Following are the Ministers and their portfolios. Malik Samarawickrama - Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade, Vijith Wijayamuni de Soysa - Minister of Irrigation and Water Resource Management and Faizer Mustafa - Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils – Pix by Sudath Silva

Deputy Ministers Group

Even though some politicians in Sri Lanka who lack political experience are spread false propaganda among the people by saying that we are trapped in international conspiracies, the emerging new political culture in the country will provide a clear answer to the public as well as to the international community regarding this, said President Maithripala Sirisena.

He made these observations while participating at the swearing-in ceremony of new State and Deputy Ministers of the National Government at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

The President further said that he would never bow down to any foreign pressure nor would he allow anyone to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka.

 “We must all set aside narrow political agendas and follow our consciences when we think of our people and the country,” the President said.

For the next five years we will provide a strong Government and no one will be able to topple that Government, the President added.

Sirisena also said that everyone must commit themselves to utilising their knowledge, wisdom and experience to build the country.

It is the responsibility of everyone to perform their duties in a way that will not allow anyone to blame them for misusing State resources and corruption, the President asserted, adding that he believed everyone would discharge their duties in a perfectly satisfactory manner.