Gazette issued confirming Cabinet reshuffle

Colombo, Oct. 12 (Daily Mirror) - The official Gazette confirming ministerial and deputy ministerial changes following the government’s first cabinet reshuffle has been issued by the Secretary to the President, Dr. N.S. Kumanayake.

Three new ministers and ten deputy ministers were sworn in before the President at the Presidential Secretariat on the morning of October 10.

Under the reshuffle, Bimal Ratnayake, previously Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, relinquished the Ports and Civil Aviation portfolio, with Urban Development added to his responsibilities. Anura Karunathilaka, formerly Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing, was sworn in as Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation.

The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply, previously held by Anura Karunathilaka, was assigned to Dr. H.M. Susil Ranasinghe, who was previously Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation. He was sworn in as minister on the same day.

Several new deputy ministers were also appointed, including Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Dinindu Saman Kumara, Nishantha Jayaweera, and M.M.I. Arkam, with their appointments confirmed in the Gazette.