Boris Johnson appoints Ranil Jayawardena as Trade minister

A UK parliamentarian of Sri Lankan origin Ranil Jayawardena has been appointed as the Trade Minister in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, British media reported.

Mr. Jayawardena was promoted to the Department of International Trade on Tuesday after UK’s Trade Minister Conor Burns, one of Boris Johnson’s closest allies, was found to have attempted to intimidate the member of the public.

Mr Jayawardena, the MP for North East Hampshire, was promoted in Mr Burns' absence in the department, although to the more junior role of parliamentary under secretary of state, reports said.

Mr Burns, who represents Bournemouth West, quit on Monday after the parliamentary watchdog recommended a seven-day suspension for breaching the MPs' code of conduct.