Sri Lanka: 35 ministers of state, 3 deputy ministers sworn in

Earlier, 16 cabinet ministers were sworn in last week after Gotabaya Rajapksa took over as new President. Speaking on the occasion, President said ministerial portfolios are important responsibilities rather than privileges.

Gotabaya said they need to motivate the state sector and move towards a new era. The President said they are not able to grant positions for everyone who worked for them politically considering the limitations in the constitution.

He said that these positions were created considering the needs of the people that they have identified in their  manifesto and during the election campaign.

The President requested the cabinet ministers to give the state and deputy ministers a chance to work and assign responsibilities to carry out.