PRESIDENT DISSANAYAKE UNVEILS 21-MEMBER CABINET AS SRI LANKA SETTING SIGHTS ON REFORM AND CONSTITUTION

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reappointed educationist Harini Amarasuriya as the country's prime minister, marking a new beginning for the country as it looks to overcome its worst economic crisis and embark on sweeping reforms.

In a historic move, Dissanayake, 55, announced his cabinet on Monday at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, retaining key portfolios such as defence and finance as he plans to fight corruption and implement campaign promises, including a new constitution.

Amarasuriya, 54, will assume the roles of prime minister, education, higher education, and vocational training ministries. She was instrumental in serving as interim prime minister from September after Dissanayake's presidential election win, becoming the first woman to head the national government in 24 years.

The National People's Power (NPP) coalition, which had struggled with internal turmoil since its inception, finally found success last week, securing an impressive 159 seats out of 225 in the parliamentary elections. The landslide victory has granted Dissanayake a two-thirds majority in parliament, empowering him to pass legislation without relying on coalition partners.

"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," Dissanayake stated during the swearing-in ceremony.

The new government will hold its first parliamentary sitting on Thursday, as it prepares to submit a budget for the year 2025 in line with the ongoing IMF bailout program secured by the previous administration. An IMF delegation has also arrived on the island nation to engage in talks with the new government and assess Sri Lanka's economic reform programme worth $2.9 billion.

The appointment of Amarasuriya as prime minister marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka's history, as it sets the stage for the country to embark on sweeping reforms under Dissanayake's leadership. With a campaign promise of a new constitution on the cards, Sri Lanka looks set to embark on a journey towards transformation and growth.