President to announce 23-member Cabinet tomorrow; Harini reappointed as PM
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will unveil a 23-member Cabinet tomorrow, retaining the defense and finance portfolios following his party’s parliamentary election victory.
Harini Amarasuriya will continue as Prime Minister, while Vijitha Herath is set to be reappointed as Foreign Minister.
The Cabinet will include another female MP from the Southern Province.
The first Cabinet meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, ahead of Parliament’s inaugural session on Thursday.
Deputy ministers will be appointed across all ministries, with subjects streamlined under respective portfolios.
Key ministry secretaries, including Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, are likely to retain their roles to maintain continuity in ongoing IMF discussions.
Four names were under consideration for the Speaker’s position, while the Deputy Speaker’s position is to be given to a member of the minority community.
The Sunday Times learns that though national list nominee Bimal Ratnayake’s name was mentioned to be the Speaker, he is now likely to function as the Leader of the House considering his previous experience in Parliament.