Dissanayake Swears In New 21-Member Cabinet Amid Plans for Sweeping Reforms and Constitution
Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has picked a 21-member cabinet, with educationist Harini Amarasuriya reappointed as prime minister, after sweeping the snap parliamentary elections last week.
The new cabinet, which was sworn in on Monday at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, retains key defense and finance portfolios, highlighting Dissanayake's focus on reforming the country amid the ongoing economic crisis. The president has promised a campaign to introduce a new constitution, as well as tackle corruption and fight off abuse of power.
Sri Lanka, which struggles with its worst economic crisis since gaining independence in 1948, was hit hard by foreign currency shortages that led to a sovereign default and an economy shrinkage of 7.3% in 2022 and 2.3% last year. The country has been implementing a financial programme by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the default.
The swearing-in ceremony was watched online as educationist Harini Amarasuriya, 54, took on her new role as prime minister – for the second time this year – making her the first woman to head the national government in 24 years. Other key appointments include veteran legislator Vijitha Herath as foreign minister and Ananda Wijepala as public security and parliamentary affairs minister.
Sri Lanka's National People's Power (NPP) coalition, which is dominated by Dissanayake's party, secured a landslide majority in the recent elections, winning 159 seats with a two-thirds majority in the 225-member house – unprecedented since Sri Lanka changed its parliament system in 1977. The NPP can now amend the constitution without needing any allies or coalition partners.
"We must ensure that this absolute power does not corrupt us absolutely," Dissanayake said during the swearing-in ceremony, addressing concerns about the concentration of power. He also emphasized his commitment to fulfill the aspirations of a nation which has been economically and politically oppressed for too long.
The new government will hold its first parliamentary sitting on Thursday and plans to prepare a budget for 2025 in accordance with the ongoing IMF bailout secured by the previous government. An IMF team, currently on the island for talks with the new government and reviewing Sri Lanka's $2.9bn economic reform programme, is expected to return later this week to assess progress and discuss further reforms.
The formation of a fresh cabinet marks an ambitious start for Dissanayake as he aims to drive sweeping reforms in key areas of his administration.