Parliamentarian Dinesh Gunawardena was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s new Prime Minister this morning (22). Gunawardena took oath before President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Several Members of Parliament were present at the occasion. During the tenure of the previous government, Prime Minister Gunawardena served as the Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government.

The new Prime Minister was also part of several Parliamentary Committees with the most recent being the Select Committee of Parliament to identify appropriate reforms of the election laws and the electoral system and to recommend necessary amendments.

Prime Minister Gunawardena is the son of Philip Gunawardena, nicknamed the Lion of Boralugoda, who is the father of Socialism in this country and Kusuma Gunawardena. Born on March 2, 1949, Dinesh Gunawardena has been the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna since 1973 after the death of Philip Gunawardena.

Dinesh Gunawardena received his education at Royal College, Colombo. Later, he earned Associate Degrees in business administration, management and international transportation from the Netherlands Business University and the University of Oregon.

He entered Parliament for the first time at the 1983 by-election, marking a historic victory as the Maharagama MP.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, is a labour leader and national leader, engaged in a continuous political journey committed to the welfare and unity of the country and to serve the common man.

He has represented Parliament as the Minister of Transport, Transport and Environment, Urban Development and Water Supply, Higher Education (Deputy), Urban Development and Sacred Area Development, Water Supply and Drainage, Municipalities and Western Development, Foreign Affairs and Skill Development and Employment and Labour.

He also held the positions of the Chief Whip of the ruling party in Parliament, the leader of the Parliament Committee and the Chairman of three Parliamentary Special Committees to amend the voting system. His son, Yadamini Gunawardena is also a Member of Parliament.