Colombo
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a 21-member Cabinet, fulfilling his pre-election promise to streamline the government and reduce taxpayer burdens. The National People’s Power (NPP), which won the presidential election in September, has been advocating for a smaller government. Before the Cabinet was formed, the government operated with just three ministers, including Dissanayake.
The new Cabinet includes 12 fresh faces, alongside eight veteran members who have held significant positions since 2000. Dissanayake retained the key portfolios of finance and defense. Among the new appointees are five professors, adding an academic touch to the Cabinet. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya was appointed the education minister, and Saroja Savithri Paulraj, who represents the Tamil minority, was given the women’s and child affairs portfolio.
In a symbolic gesture, Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran took his oath in Tamil, reflecting the representation of the Tamil minority in the new government. Dissanayake addressed the Cabinet, emphasizing that the power given to the NPP should not be abused and pledging to remain true to their political promises.
The NPP, which won a record-breaking two-thirds majority in the parliamentary elections, has dominated Sri Lanka’s politics, securing 61.56% of the vote and winning 159 out of 225 parliamentary seats. The party also won the highest number of polling divisions and districts in recent history.
