Colombo, May 2 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on Wednesday appointed new state and deputy ministers, a day after he reshuffled his cabinet of ministers.
Ten Deputy Ministers and 8 State Ministers took oaths before Sirisena, in a reshuffle which is seen to bring in political certainty in the unity government after months of unrest.
On Tuesday, 18 ministers were appointed new portfolios after the defection of six ministers from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to the opposition last month.
The defected ministers had voted in favour of a no confidence motion on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe when it was taken up in Parliament in early April.
The reshuffle of ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers is seen to bring in unity between the SLFP and the United National Party (UNP), who are coalition partners in the national government after it lost a local government poll in February.
On May 02 following appointments were announced.
H. M. M. Harees: Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development.
Seyed Ali Zahir Moulana: Deputy Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation and Official Languages.
Muthu Sivalingam: Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development.
Manusha Nanayakkara: Deputy Minister of Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment.
Palitha Kumara Thewarapperuma: Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development.
Sarathie Dushmantha: Deputy Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms.
Karunarathna Paranawithana: Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training, and Hill Country Heritage
Ranjan Ramanayake: Deputy Minister of Social Empowerment.
Dunesh Gankanda: Deputy Minister of Lands and Parliamentary Reforms.
Ameer Ali Shihabdeen: Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy.
Weerakumara Dissanayake: State Minister of Mahaweli Development.
Sriyani Wijewickrama: State Minister of Sports, Provincial Councils and Local Government.
Lakshman Senewiratne: State Minister of Public Administration and Management, and Law and Oder.
A.D. Champika Premadasa: State Minister of Plantation Industries.
Mohan Lal Grero: State Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs.
M.L.A.M. Hizbullah: State Minister of Highways and Road Development.
Dilip Wedaarachchi: State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy.
Palitha Range Bandara: State Minister of Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management.