The first cabinet reshuffle of the National People’s Power government took place today. Several new deputy ministers were appointed, and the loss of the Ports and Civil Aviation ministries held by Bimal Ratnayake, a frontline minister of the government, has become a notable event.
In addition, the appointment of U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera, who was appointed to fill the position of MP who fell vacant due to Harshana Suriyapperuma resigning from Parliament to take up the post of Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, as the Deputy Minister of Economic Development is also a notable act. He has been appointed to this position when there were other senior MPs. U. D. Nishantha Jayaweera is considered a close confidant of President Anura Dissanayake.
Anura Karunathilaka has been appointed as the new Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation. Dr. M.M. Susil Ranasinghe has also been appointed as the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply. Bimal Ratnayake has been appointed as the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
The Deputy Ministers are Dr. Anil Jayantha (Finance and Planning), T.B. Sarath (Housing and Construction), M. M. Mohamed Munir (Religious and Cultural), Eranga Senaratne (Urban Development), Dr. Muditha Hansaka Wijemuni (Health), Dinindu Saman Kumara (Youth Affairs), U.D. Nishantha Jayaweera (Economic Development), Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne (Media), Imam Akram (Energy) and Aravinda Senarath (Lands and Irrigation).