Mahinda as prime minister -- swearing in of caretaker cabinet on Thursday (21) afternoon

Mahinda as prime minister -- swearing in of caretaker cabinet on Thursday (21) afternoon

As Ranil Wickremasingha resigned from his position as prime minister, a caretaker government is expected to be established under Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who was installed in the seat of the president tomorrow (21) Thursday. As such, the cabinet comprising 15 members with Mahinda Rajapaksa as prime minister would be taking their oaths tomorrow afternoon at 1. 

This special occasion where Gotabhaya as president and elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa being
elected as prime minister is the second occasion where the main positions is divided between two individuals of the same family after Sirimavo Bandaranaika assumes position of prime minister under president Chandrika Kumaratunga in 1994. 

Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has been provided the opportunity of instituting his government according to his preference in the instance where Ranil extended his co-operation allowing a peaceful exchange of power at a moment when the majority is not available in parliament. In the meantime, political news had earlier reported that it was Dinesh Goonawardena who was to be elected as prime minister tomorrow. 

On an inquiry made at a media briefing in relation to this, what  member of parliament Dinesh Goonawardena said was that leadership of the new government would be borne by Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa and not by him. After opposition leader Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa would be taking his oaths tomorrow (21) at 1 in the afternoon as prime minister of the new caretaker government, he is expected to assume duties at prime minister's office at 3.30 in the afternoon, his press secretary, Rohan Weliwita has mentioned.