Eight more Cabinet Ministers sworn in

The Government looking to stabilize itself appointed eight more cabinet ministers and preparations are underway to name new state Ministers as well.

In a bid to minimize the cabinet some of the Ministers were given several portfolios while some of those who held State Ministry posts earlier were promoted to cabinet ministers. 

The President’s office said the eight more Cabinet Ministers were appointed as part of the All-Party Government, but the Opposition has disputed the claim.

Ministers Ramesh Pathirana and Keheliya Rambukwella were given additional portfolios than those assigned to them earlier. Dr Pathirana was assigned to the Industries Ministry and Mr Rambukwella to the Ministry of Water supply.

Mr Mahinda Amaraweera has been sworn in as the Minister of Agriculture, Forest Resources and Wildlife while Bandula Gunawardena has been sworn in as the Minister of Mass Media, Transport and Highways 

Mr Roshan Ranasinghe has been appointed as Minister of Irrigation, Sports and Youth while MP Vidura Wickramanayake been appointed the Minister of Buddhashasana, Religious Affairs and Cultural Affairs.

Douglas Devananda was named as the Minister of Fisheries while Mr Ahamed Naseer has been sworn in as the new Minister of Environment.

Previously 13 cabinet Ministers have been appointed.  Meanwhile, the State Ministers also are likely to be named this week. 

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya reacting to the new appointments said that it was a waste of appointing new ministers at a time when the government was trying to cut down on waste.

"The government is appointing ministers from time to time and people are losing count of them. This is  waste of time," SJB MP Tissa Attanayake said.

He told a press conference at the Opposition Leader's office that it has been widely accepted that the ministers have failed and it was no use of appointing the same members.  "This is an attempt only to show that it is a new government, but in fact, it is the same old government we are having", he said.