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‘If national govt. is successful, country too is successful. If it fails , people will be disenchanted with us’ P.M. : 42 ministers take oaths

(Lanka-e-News - 04.Sep.2015, 9.30PM)  The swearing in  the ministers of the cabinet of the new government took place today (04) before president Maithripala Sirisena at the presidential secretariat .The number of cabinet ministers of the UNP  is 33 , but out of them 7 ministry posts are shared among other parties that supported the UNP. The number of cabinet ministers of the SLFP is 15. Out of the total number of 48 cabinet ministers , 42 took oaths today.

President Maithripala addressing the swearing in ceremony said,even if the politicians or state officials sin secretly , that will be known.Like how Buddha did not sin in secret , the politicians too should not commit sins secretly, he added.The politicians should follow their conscience and strengthen themselves against corruption , frauds and perfidies . A common  committee is being appointed on the recommendation of the P.M. and himself, and the president therefore asked all ministers  to send their   requests when  appointing heads of government Institutions and corporations to that committee.After an evaluation is made of the candidates for those posts based on their suitability , character and status, the appointments will be made , the president revealed.  

 ‘The voters cast their votes to make me president of SL on 8 th January and  empowered us to form a new government via  the August general elections.Based on the 100 days political experience , now with the national government we can forge ahead. During the period of elections , Ranil Wickremesinghe P.M. underlined the importance of forming a national government . I also echoed that ‘ president observed. 

Today we appointed a cabinet of ministers .Many cabinet ministers were appointed. It is natural  for those who were appointed to feel happy , and those who were not to feel sad.However those who can serve the country but did not get ministerial portfolios have other avenues.

In the committees that we are going to establish they will secure places.If our aims are pure  ; committed to serve the people; if it is our objective to work in the interests of the people , the issues arising from the appointments to the cabinet should not discourage you.

The UNP and the SLFP have come to a joint  agreement that would last two years.Based on that two years experience ,we can plan our future course of action.The national government is a new experience to us.The ideals the two main parties must strive  for   on this journey should be good governance,Democracy,promotion of liberty , and create a country free from corruption and frauds , the president exhorted. 

Ranil Wickremesinghe said , the best service we can render to our country during our life span ,is  to make  the whole parliament the government , and towards accomplishing that  , he urged every M.P. and party to extend their support. 

If the national government is successful the whole country is successful. If it fails, the people will be disillusioned with us. What we have to do is unhesitantly  move forward undeterred and undaunted.It is no difficult task. All what is necessary is the desire to serve the people and the country.

The president too is saying , we should all get together and formulate a national policy.The UNP also identifies itself with that view. The SLFP too agreed with that.If only such a line of action is pursued , the advancement of the country’s democratic community ,as well as local and international support can be ensured. Not only the posts of M.P.s and ministers ,but parliament select committee , chairpersons of district development committees , posts of chairpersons, the executive committes to be appointed shortly , will have the opportunity to be of service to the community , the P.M. pointed out .
The 42 ministers who took oaths are hereunder :

01. Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe – Minister of National Policy and Economic Affairs
02. John Amaratunga – Minister of Tourism Development & Christian Affairs
03. Gamini Jayawickrama Perera – Minister of Sustainable Development & Wildlife
04. Nimal Siripala de Silva – Minister of Transport
05. S.B. Dissanayake – Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare
06. W.D.J. Seneviratne – Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations
07. Lakshman Kiriella – Minister of University Education and Highways
08. Anura Priyadharshana Yapa – Minister of Disaster Management 
09. Susil Premajayantha - Minister of Technology, Technical Education and Employment
10. Thilak Janaka Marapana – Minister of Law and Order and Prison Reforms 
11. Dr Rajitha Senaratne – Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine 
12. Ravi Karunanayake – Minister of Finance 
13. Mahinda Samarasinghe – Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training
14. Vajira Abeywardena – Minister of Home Affairs
15. S.B. Nawinne – Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs
16. Patali Champika Ranawaka – Minister of Megapolis and Western Development 
17. Mahinda Amaraweera – Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources
18. Naveen Dissanayake – Minister of Plantation Industries 
19. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya – Minister of Power and Renewable Energy 
20. Duminda Dissanayake – Minister of Agriculture 
21. Wijedasa Rajapaksa – Minister of Buddha Sasana 
22. P. Harrison – Minister of Rural Economic Affairs 
23. Ranjith Maddumabandara – Minister of Public Administration and Management 
24. Gayantha Karunathilake – Minister of Parliament Reforms & Media 
25. Sajith Premadasa – Minister of Housing & Construction 
26. Arjuna Ranatunga – Minister of Ports & Maritime Affairs
27. M. K. A. D. S. Gunawardana – Minister of Lands
28. P. Digambaram – Minister of Upcountry New Villages, Estate Infrastructure& Community Development
29. Chandrani Bandara – Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs
30. Thalatha Athukorala – Minister of Foreign Employment
31. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam – Minister of Education 
32. D.M. Swaminathan – Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Affairs
33. Chandima Weerakkody – Minister of Petroleum & Petroleum Gas
34. Dayasiri Jayasekara – Minister of Sports 
35. Sagala Ratnayake – Minister of Southern Development 
36. Harin Fernando – Telecommunication & Digital Infrastructure 
37. Mano Ganesan – Minister of National Dialog 
38. Daya Gamage – Minister of Primary Industries
39. Rauff Hakeem – Minister of Urban Development & Water Supply
40. Rishad Bathiudeen – Minister of Industries & Commerce
41. Kabeer Hashim – Minister of Public Enterprise Development
42. Mohamed Hashim Abdul Haleem – Minister of Postal Service & Muslim Affairs

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by     (2015-09-04 16:38:33)

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