Dissanayake Unveils 21-Member Cabinet Amid Vows for Reforms, New Constitution
Colombo, Sri Lanka - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially picked a 21-member cabinet, marking the first step towards sweeping reforms and fulfilling campaign promises made during his presidential bid.
In a significant move, Dissanayake reappointed educationist Harini Amarasuriya as the country's prime minister after securing a landslide majority in last week's snap parliamentary elections. The National People's Power (NPP) coalition won 159 seats out of 225 in the parliament, giving the president a clear two-thirds majority needed to pass legislation without relying on allies or coalition partners.
The new cabinet includes key defence and finance portfolios, which will be retained under Dissanayake's watch. The president has vowed to fight corruption and implement reforms aimed at ending Sri Lanka's economic crisis, triggered by a severe shortage of foreign currency that pushed the country into a sovereign default.
With this significant majority, Dissanayake can now amend the constitution and hold a referendum on a new document. This promises to be a significant step towards radical change in a nation grappling with decades-old family party dominance.
"We must ensure that this absolute power does not corrupt us absolutely," Dissanayake said at the swearing-in ceremony. "This huge power that has been given to us must be exercised with responsibility, to fulfil the aspirations of the people who had been oppressed economically and politically for too long."
As the new government prepares its budget for 2025 under an IMF-bailed-out plan, a weeklong visit from an IMF delegation is set to begin its talks with Dissanayake's administration. The National People’s Power coalition will hold its first parliamentary sitting on Thursday, ready to tackle key reform initiatives and economic reforms.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's cabinet includes: Harini Amarasuriya (pm), Vijitha Herath (foreign minister), Ananda Wijepala (public security & parliamentary affairs), Bimal Rathnayake (transport highways, ports, civil aviation).