New ministers being sworn in

New ministers being sworn in

29 new ministers are being sworn in under the new government and they are as follows:

Gayantha Karunathilaka -- Lands and Parliamentary Reforms

Sajith Premadasa ---- Housing, Construction and Cultural Activities

Arjuna Ranatunga -- Transport and Civil Aviation

Palani Digambaram -- Upcountry new villages, Infrastructure and Community Development

Chandrani Bandara -- Women and Child Affairs and Department of Dry Zones

Thalatha Athukorala -- Justice and Prison Reforms

Aila Viraj Kariyawasam -- Education

Abdul Haleem Mohammed Hasheem -- Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs

Sagala Ratnayaka -- Ports and Shipping and Southern Development

Harin Fernando -- Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure facilities, Foreign Employment and Sports

Mano Ganeshan -- National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs

Daya Gamage -- Labour, Trade Union Relations and Social Empowerment

Malik Samarawickrema -- Development Strategies, International Trade, Science, Technology  and Research

John Amaratunga -- Tourism Development, Wild Life and Christian Affairs

Gamini Jayawickrema Perera -- Buddha Sasana and North Western Provincial Development

Mangala Samaraweera -- Finance and Mass Media

Lakshman Kiriella -- Public Enterprise Development, Upcountry Heritage and Kandy Development

Rauff Hakeem -- Town Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education

Tilak Marapona -- Foreign Affairs

Rajitha Senaratna -- Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine

Ravi Karunanayaka -- Power and Energy and Business Development

Vajira Abeywardena -- Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Gvernment

Abdul Rishad Badiudeen -- Industrial and Commercial Affairs and Resettlement and Co-operative Development

Patali Champika Ranawaka -- Megapolice and Western Development

Naveen Dissanayaka -- Plantation Industries

P. Harrison -- Agriculture, Rural Economic Affairs, Animal Husbandry, Irrigation and Water Resources

Kabir Hasheem -- Highway and Road Development and Petroleum Resources

Ranjith Madduma Bandara -- Public Administration and Disaster Management

Sajith Premadasa -- Housing and Construction and Cultural Affairs

Harin Fernando -- Telecommunication, Digital Infrastructure facilities, Foreign Employment and Sports

Ranil Wickremasingha -- National Policies and Economic Affairs and Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training and Skills Development and Youth Affairs

9.45 am Update

As the number of ministers expected to be included to the cabinet to take their oaths today were less than 30, the crowd has gathered at the conference hall instead of the large hall where the swearing in ceremony usually takes place. It is reported that taking oaths of ministers separately  is done after each one is is summoned to a room one by one. The swearing in is supposed to commence in a short while.

8.45 am Update

The President and Prime Minister have arrived at Presidential Secretariat on the occasion when new ministers were taking their oaths. The swearing in ceremony is to take place in a short while. 28 ministers are expected to be sworn in this morning, it has been reported.