Sri Lanka's President Names 21-Member Cabinet as He Plans Reforms After Landslide Victory
Colombo, Sri Lanka - Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has assembled a 21-member cabinet with a landslide victory in the recent snap parliamentary elections.
The new government marks a significant shift for the left-leaning National People's Power (NPP) coalition, which had just three seats in parliament prior to the vote. However, the NPP managed to secure an impressive 159 seats in the 225-member house, giving President Dissanayake a comfortable two-thirds majority.
In line with his campaign promise, Dissanayake vowed to introduce a new constitution through a referendum. The president emphasized the importance of exercising power responsibly and fulfilling the aspirations of the people who have been oppressed economically and politically for too long.
At the swearing-in ceremony held earlier today at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, President Dissanayake retained key defence and finance portfolios. Notable appointments include veteran legislator Vijitha Herath as foreign minister, Ananda Wijepala as public security and parliamentary affairs minister, and Bimal Rathnayake as transport, highways, ports, and civil aviation minister.
Harini Amarasuriya, an educationist, has been reappointed as prime minister, a position she previously held from September until the dissolution of her cabinet. She will also serve in various other ministries including education, higher education, and vocational training.
The new government faces significant challenges, including addressing the country's devastating economic crisis triggered by a severe shortage of foreign currency. Sri Lanka has been undergoing a financial programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following a sovereign default.
With his two-thirds majority in parliament, President Dissanayake can now amend the constitution to introduce sweeping reforms and tackle corruption in the nation. The new government will hold its first parliamentary sitting on Thursday and is expected to prepare a budget for 2025 in line with the ongoing IMF bailout secured by the previous government. An IMF delegation is currently visiting Sri Lanka to hold talks with the new government as well as conduct a third review of the country's economic reform programme valued at $2.9 billion.