President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reviews the 150,000 employment programme which will come to effect from 2^nd September onwards.

President advised the relevant authorities to appoint the eligible graduates in accordance with their field of study. He also said priority should be given to the poorest among the poor in every Grama Niladhari division when selecting candidates for the programme to employ 100,000 low-income persons.

President made these remarks during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (17) to discuss future modalities of the employment programme.

President emphasized the necessity of providing on the job training as a measure to address shortcomings and deficiencies in the public sector. Qualified persons will be employed in the private sector too. During the one-year training programme more attention should be paid to nurture qualities such as leadership, meeting targets and building confidence.

The President also pointed out the importance of offering jobs for selected graduate employees at new State Ministries to achieve set goals of those ministries.

Many people apprised the President of the issue of shortage of teachers in schools when he visited several districts during the election campaign. It was also decided to appoint new job recipients to overcome this problem. Low-income recipients selected for employment under the 100,000 jobs scheme will be directed to fill vacancies at 24 different trades. They will be trained by the National Apprentice Board.

Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Mr. J.J. Ratnasiri and other officials were present at the discussion.

Minister of State for Postal Services and Journalist Professional Development Mr. Sadasivam Viyalendran took over the post today (14)

Hon.  Keheliya Rambukwella assumed duties today (13) as the Honorable Minister to the Ministry of Mass Media. The newly elected Minister Rambukwella took oath at the Temple of Tooth yesterday (12) before his Excellency the President Gotabhaya Rajapaksha and the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha. 

After taking office, Hon. Minister addressed the media at a press briefing held at the ministerial auditorium. Thereby he stressed that the newly assigned ministerial position is not a piece of jewel, but social responsibility and he intends to carry it out amicably with media as he once did during his tenure at the same ministry. 

The newly elected minister also emphasized that what he expects is not the curtailing of media but the competitiveness between the private and state media in the years to come.  Moreover, he added that monetary assistance would be provided for the higher education of the journalists with a view to producing a generation of veteran media personalities and they would be further encouraged by providing loan concessions for the purchase of media equipment. 

The Hon. State Minister of Postal Services and Professional Development of Media, Sathasivam Viyalendran was also present at the press briefing. In response to a matter raised by a journalist, he said that he would go into the discussions with the Hon. Minister with regards to the housing and land issues of the journalists.  

Additional Secretary to the Ministry Mr. S.R.W.M.R.P. Sathkumara, Director General of Government Information Mr. Nalaka Kaluwewa, and other institutional heads of the ministry were also present at the press briefing.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa handed over letters of appointment to new Secretaries to 25 Cabinet Ministries at the Presidential Secretariat today (13).

1. W.M.D.J. Fernando - Cabinet Secretary

2. R.W.R. Pemasiri - Ministry of Highways

3. S.R. Attygalle - Ministry of Finance

4.  J.J. Rathnasiri - Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government

5. Jagath P. Wijeweera - Ministry of Mass Media.

6. Ravindra Hewawitharana - Ministry of Plantation

7. D.M. Anura Dissanayake - Ministry of Irrigation

8. W.A. Chulananda Perera - Ministry of Industries

9. Ms. Wasantha Perera - Ministry of Power

10. S. Hettiarachchi - Ministry of Tourism

11. R.A.A.K. Ranawaka - Ministry of Lands

12.M.P.D.U.K. Mapa Pathirana - Ministry of Labour

13.Ms. R.M.I. Rathnayake - Ministry of Fisheries

14.Major General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne - Ministry of Defence

15.M. K.B. Harischandra - Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation

16. N.B. Monti Ranatunga - Ministry of Transport

17. Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama - Ministry of Water Supply

18. Ms. J.M.B. Jayawardene - Ministry of Trade

19. Major General Sanjeewa Munasinghe - Ministry of Health

20. Major General (Retd.) A.K. Sumedha Perera - Ministry of Agriculture

21.Anuradha Wijekoon - Ministry of Youth and Sports

22. K.D.R. Olga - Ministry of Energy

23.Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage - Ministry of Foreign Relations

24. Dr. Anil Jasinghe - Ministry of Environment

25.Prof. Kapila Perera - Ministry of Education

26. Sirinimal Perera - Ministry of Urban Development and Housing

The Cabinet of Ministers and State Ministers of the new Government led by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The swearing in ceremony was held at the Magul Maduwa (Audience Hall) of the historic Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic premises in Kandy this morning (12).

The President has repeatedly stressed the requirement of an efficient Cabinet of Ministers dedicated to build a prosperous nation in the future.

According to “Saubhagyaye Dekma” (Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour) policy statement the composition of the Cabinet has been formulated in a pragmatic and a realistic manner to implement the national programme. Special attention was paid to the areas of national security, economic development, infrastructure facilities, education, health and sports in the process of formulation of the ministerial structure.

The new Cabinet of Ministers comprised 25 Ministers including the Prime Minister. There are 39 State Ministers. 23 Members of Parliament have been appointed as District Coordinating Committee Chairmen.

Maha Sangha invoked blessings on newly appointed Ministers and Committee Chairmen.

District Coordinating Committee Chairmen:

1. Pradeep Udugoda – Colombo

2. Sahan Pradeep Vithana – Gampaha

3. Sanjeewa Edirimanna   – Kalutara

4. Wasantha Yapa Bandara -Kandy

5. N. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda – Matale

6. S.B. Dissanayake – Nuwara Eliya

7. Sampath Athukorala  – Galle

8. Nipuna Ranawaka -Matara

9. Upul Galappaththi   -Hambantota

10. Angajan Ramanathan  -Jaffna

11. Douglas Devananda -Kilinochchi

12. K. Dileepa – Vavuniya

13    K. Kader Masthan  -Mannar and Mullaitivu

14. D. Weerasinghe – Ampara

15. Kapila Athukorala -Trincomalee

16   Gunapala Rathnasekara  -Kurunegala

17. Ashoka Priyantha – Puttalam

18. H. Nandasena -Anuradhapura

19. Amarakeerthi Athukorala – Polonnaruwa

20. Sudarshana Denipitiya –  Badulla

21. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka – Monaragala

22. Akila Ellawala – Ratnapura

23  Rajika Wickramasinghe – Kegalla

Cabinet  Ministers :   

1. Chamal Rajapaksa              – Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management

2. Piyankara Jayaratne           – Foreign Employment Promotions and Market Diversification

3. Duminda Dissanayake        – Solar, Wind, Grid Power Generation Projects Development

4.Dayasiri Jayasekara            – Batik, Handloom Fabrics and Local Apparel Products

5. Lasantha Alagiyawanna        – Cooperative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer      Protection6.

6. Sudarshani Fernandopulle    -Prisons Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation

7.Arundika Fernando             – Coconut, Fishtail Palm, Palmyra and Rubber product Promotion and Allied  Industrial Production and Export Diversification

8. Nimal Lansa  – Rural Road and other Infrastructure Facilities

9. Jayantha Samaraweera       – Warehouse Facilities, Container Yards, Port Supply Facilities and Boats and Shipping Industry Development.

10. Roshan Ranasinghe             – Land Management Affairs, State Business Lands and Property Development

11. Kanaka Herath                   – Company Establishment Reforms, Tea Estate Crops, Tea Factory Modernization and Tea Export Diversification

12. Vidura Wickramanayake      – Promotion of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Artists

13. Janaka Wakkumbura           – Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production and Promotion of Allied Products and Export

14. Vijitha Berugoda                 – Dhamma Schools, Bhikku Education, Pirivenas and Buddhist Universities

15. Shehan Semasinghe            – Development of Samurdhi Home Economy, Microfinance, Self-Employment and Businesses and Under-Utilized State Resources

16. Mohan de Silva                  – Regulation of Fertilizer Production and Supply, use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides

17. Lohan Ratwatte                  – Gem and Jewelry related Industries

18.  Dilum Amunugama            – Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Carriages and Automotive Industries

19. Wimalaweera Dissanayake   – Wildlife Conservation Protection Programmes including Electric Fence and Ditch Construction and Re-Forestation and Wildlife Resources Development

20. Tharaka Balasooriya           – Regional Cooperation

21. Indika Anurudda                 – Rural Home Construction and Building Materials Industry Promotion

22. Kanchana Wijesekera          – Ornamental Fish, Freshwater Fish and Shrimp Farming Development, Multi-day Fishing and Fish Export

23.Sanath Nishantha               – Development of Rural and Regional Drinking Water Supply Projects

24. Siripala Gamlath                 – Development of Common Infrastructure Facilities of Settlements and Canals in Mahaweli Zones

25. Sarath Weerasekara           – Provincial Councils and Local Government Affairs

26. Anuradha Jayaratne            – Development of Rural Paddy Fields and Associated Tanks, Reservoirs and Irrigation

27. Sadasivam Viyalendran        – Professional Development of Postal Services and Mass Media

28. Thenuka Vidanagamage       – Rural and School Sports Infrastructure Promotion

29. Sisira Jayakody                  – Promotion of Indigenous Medicine, Development of Rural Ayurvedic Hospitals and Community Health

30. Piyal Nishantha de Silva       – Women and Child Development, Pre-School and Primary Education, School Infrastructure and School Services

31. Prasanna Ranaweera          – Cane, Brass, Clay Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion

32. D. V. Chanaka                   – Development of Aviation and Export Zones

33. D. B. Herath                      – Livestock and Farm Promotion and Dairy and Eggs Related Industries

34. Shasheendra Rajapaksa      – Paddy and Cereals, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chilies, Onions and Potatoes, Seed Production and High Tech Agriculture

35. Nalaka Godahewa               – Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation

36. Jeewan Thondaman            – Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure Facilities

37. Ajith Nivard Cabraal            – Finance and Capital Markets and Public Enterprise Reforms

38. Seetha Arambepola            – Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation

39. Channa Jayasumana           – Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation

Cabinet Ministers:

1. His Excellency President Gotabaya Rajapaksa       – Defence
2. Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa                                         – Finance
3. Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa                                        – Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
4. Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa                                        – Urban Development and Housing
5. Nimal Siripala De Silva                                            – Labour
6. G.L Pieris                                                                – Education
7. Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi                                    – Health
8. Dinesh Gunawardana                                            – Foreign Relations
9. Douglas Devananda                                              – Fisheries
10. Gamini Lokuge                                                      – Transport
11. Bandula Gunawardana                                           – Trade
12. R.M.C.B. Rathnayake                                            – Wildlife and Forest Conservation
13. Janaka Bandara Thennakoon                             – Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government
14. Keheliya Rambukwella                                      – Mass Media
15. Chamal Rajapaksa                                           – Irrigation
16. Dullas Alahapperuma                                       – Power
17. Johnston Fernando                                          – Highways
18. Wimal Weerawansa                                         – Industries
19. Mahinda Amaraweera                                      – Environment
20. S.M. Chandrasena                                           – Land
21. Mahindananda Aluthgamage                              – Agriculture
22. Vasudeva Nanayakkara                                    – Water Supply
23. Udaya Prabhath Gammanpila                             – Energy
24. Ramesh Pathirana                                           – Plantation
25. Prasanna Ranatunga                                        – Tourism
26. Rohitha Abeygunawardena                                – Ports and Shipping
27. Namal Rajapaksa                                            – Youth and Sports Affairs
28. PC Ali Sabry                                                   – Justice

Following the ceremony, President, Prime Minister and the newly appointed Ministers paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Mahinda Rajapaksa has assumed duties as the newly appointed Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at the Prime Minister’s Office today (11.08.2020)

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through an Extraordinary Gazette notification announced the Ministerial structure consisting 28 Ministries and 40 State Ministries. This includes Ministries that come under the purview of the President and the Prime Minister.

The Gazette notification giving details of Ministerial structure, relevant institutions and rules and regulations was issued this evening (10).

National priorities, policy responsibilities and functions have been taken into consideration in formulating Ministries. State Ministries have been structured to facilitate the achievement of special priorities and the implementation of relevant programmes according to the broad scope of each Ministry.

Special attention was paid to the areas of national security, economic development, infrastructure facilities, education, health and sports in the process of formulation of the ministerial structure.

The formulated structure covers a number of aspects of rural and agricultural development as well as the field of education.

The scopes, priorities, affiliated institutions and legal frameworks of each Ministry have been explained under several subheadings.

The Subject Ministers and State Ministers are scheduled to be sworn in at the Magul Maduwa(Audience Hall) of the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic premises in Kandy on the morning of Wednesday(August 12) before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Gamini Sedara Senarath, an experienced senior officer in the Sri Lanka Administration Service has been reappointed as the Secretary to the Prime Minister.

He received his Letter of Appointment from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (August 10).

Mr Gamini Sarath had served as the Additional Secretary and the Chief of Staff to the President during the tenure of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He was appointed as the Secretary to the Prime Minister following Mahinda Rajapaksa’s appointment as the Prime Minister on the 21^st of November 2019.

Mr Gamini Sedara Senarath read his basic degree at the University of Kelaniya and entered the Sri Lanka Administration Service(SLAS) in 1984.

He has completed his Post Graduate degree in Information Technology at the University of Colombo. He has also followed a number of academic courses abroad.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through an Extraordinary Gazette notification announced the Ministerial structure consisting 28 Ministries and 40 State Ministries. This includes Ministries that come under the purview of the President and the Prime Minister.

The Gazette notification giving details of Ministerial structure, relevant institutions and rules and regulations was issued this evening (10).

National priorities, policy responsibilities and functions have been taken into consideration in formulating Ministries. State Ministries have been structured to facilitate the achievement of special priorities and the implementation of relevant programmes according to the broad scope of each Ministry.

Special attention was paid to the areas of national security, economic development, infrastructure facilities, education, health and sports in the process of formulation of the ministerial structure.

The formulated structure covers a number of aspects of rural and agricultural development as well as the field of education.

The scopes, priorities, affiliated institutions and legal frameworks of each Ministry have been explained under several subheadings.

The Subject Ministers and State Ministers are scheduled to be sworn in at the Magul Maduwa(Audience Hall) of the Temple of Sacred Tooth Relic premises in Kandy on the morning of Wednesday(August 12) before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.