Sri Lanka's President Sets Sights on Reforms Amidst Campaign Promises

Colombo, Sri Lanka - In a significant move to reshape his administration, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a 21-member cabinet, including educationist Harini Amarasuriya as Prime Minister. The new Cabinet retains key defence and finance portfolios amidst sweeping reforms and a promise of a new constitution.

The appointments were announced at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on Monday, as part of Dissanayake's plan to implement significant changes. Amarasuriya, 54, will also oversee education, higher education, and vocational training ministries.

Dissanayake's left-leaning National People's Power (NPP) coalition won a landslide majority in the recent snap parliamentary elections, securing 159 seats out of 225, and marking a first for a single party to win a clear majority since 1977. The government now boasts an absolute power to pass legislation without relying on coalition partners.

The new Cabinet plans to prepare a budget for 2025 in line with the ongoing IMF bailout secured by the previous administration. An IMF delegation is set to arrive this week to negotiate the new economic reform package worth $2.9 billion.

As part of his vision, Dissanayake has pledged to amend Sri Lanka's constitution, which he claims holds back the nation. He stated that "this huge power must be exercised with responsibility to fulfil the aspirations of the people who had been oppressed economically and politically for too long."

The swearing-in ceremony was televised live as Dissanayake underscored his commitment to tackling corruption in a country recovering from its worst economic crisis.

President Dissanayake, 55, has come under pressure to deliver on his campaign promises following Sri Lanka's disastrous economic trajectory. He took office last year with the promise of transformative change and reforming the country's economy and constitution.