Sri Lanka President changes 10 ministerial portfolios in cabinet reshuffle

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa has re-shuffled the cabinet today changing 10 ministerial portfolios and appointing two project ministers and six deputy ministers, according to state media.The new Ministers, Project Ministers and the Deputy Ministers took oaths before the President at the President's House Monday morning. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga was present at the occasion.

Minister Susil Premajayantha has been appointed as the Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy while Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka is the new Minister of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy.

Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi has been given the Power and Energy portfolio while Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has been appointed as the new Minister of Petroleum Industries.

Former Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has been appointed as the Minister of Investment Promotion and Lakshman Seneviratne has been appointed as the Minister of Sugar Industry Development.

Jayarathne Herath has given the ministerial portfolio of Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation and former Deputy Minister Duminda Dissanayake has been appointed as the Minister of Education Services.

Ministerial portfolio of Wildlife Resources Conservation has been awarded to Gamini Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa and Bashir Segudawood has been appointed as the Minister of Productivity Promotion.

Nirmala Kothalawala and Rohitha Abeygunawardena have been named Project Ministers of Ports and Highways.

Six deputy ministers have also been given new portfolios. S.M Chandrasena, Susantha Punchinilame and M.L.A.M Hisbullah all have been appointed as Deputy Ministers of Economic Development while Faizer Mustafa is appointed as the new Deputy Minister of Investment Promotion.

Abdul Cader has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy while Sarath Kumara Gunarathne is the Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development.