Sri Lanka’s new cabinet was officially sworn in on Monday morning at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, with 21 cabinet ministers taking their oaths before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The ceremony marks a significant step in the new government formed after Dissanayake's victory in the September 21 presidential election. The event was notable as it introduced a fresh leadership team for the country, with deputy ministers set to be sworn in at a later date.
This new cabinet is composed of members elected from the National People’s Power (NPP) party, following their resounding success in the November 14 parliamentary elections.
The NPP’s victory is historic, as it marks the first time a political party in Sri Lanka has won a two-thirds majority in parliament since the country adopted the proportional representation system. This large mandate reflects the people's overwhelming support for the NPP’s vision of change and reform.
Harini Amarasuriya, who was already serving as prime minister, retained her position in the new cabinet. Similarly, Vijitha Herath was reappointed as the minister of foreign affairs, foreign employment, and tourism, maintaining his key role in the government. This continuity in leadership signifies a sense of stability amidst the political changes sweeping the nation.
During the swearing-in ceremony, President Dissanayake addressed the newly formed cabinet, emphasising the responsibility that comes with such a significant electoral mandate.
He reminded the ministers that the people of Sri Lanka have placed their trust in the NPP not only for their policies but also for the integrity and commitment of their members.
According to Dissanayake, the NPP was entrusted with leadership in both the presidential and parliamentary elections as a means of shifting Sri Lanka’s political and economic trajectory in a new direction.
The President acknowledged that the NPP’s victory transcends ethnic and religious divides, with voters from various communities across the island placing their faith in the party’s promise of change.
He assured the people that the NPP is committed to protecting and advancing the rights of all Sri Lankans, with a particular focus on inclusivity and the promotion of social justice.
In his remarks, Dissanayake underscored the importance of the NPP maintaining the trust placed in them by the electorate. He stated that the people would now judge the party based on its actions as a governing body. This accountability would be crucial as the NPP works to implement its ambitious reforms and deliver on its promises.
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