Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday Nov 18, 2024
Monday, 18 November 2024 04:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will hold several key portfolios in the new 25-member Cabinet to be sworn in today by the National People’s Power (NPP) Government, which won a landslide at last week’s Parliamentary Election.
The President will hold portfolios such as Defence, Finance, Rural Economy, Digital Economy and Investment Promotion.
Dr. Harini Amarasuriya will continue to be the Prime Minister in addition to being the Education Minister.
Vijitha Herath is tipped to be Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister; and National List MP Bimal Ratnayake to be Ports, Aviation and Transport.
Firebrand Lal Kantha to be put in charge of Agriculture and Livestock Development whilst Wasantha Samarasinghe as Trade and Commerce. Dr. Anil Jayantha is tipped to be Industries Minister in addition to being Deputy Finance.
Several Deputy Ministers are to be sworn in as well including Chathuranga Abeysinghe; and Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma as Finance Deputy.
Both Cabinet and Deputy Ministers are set to take their oaths at a ceremony at the Presidential Secretariat at 10 a.m.
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) General Secretary Tilvin Silva recently announced that the new Cabinet would be “scientifically appointed,” with a focus on efficiency and expertise. He confirmed it would have fewer than 25 members, ensuring a leaner structure.
Political sources reveal that the Cabinet will likely consist of 23 members, with a commitment to fair representation across all districts and ministerial portfolios allocated based on subject expertise.
Sources said Deputy Ministers will be appointed to all Ministries to support the implementation of Government policies.
The first meeting of the new Cabinet is scheduled for tomorrow (19), ahead of the inaugural Parliamentary session on Thursday.
