Three Acting Ministers appointed

Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana has been appointed as the Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Corporative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development.

The President’s Media Division said the Acting Minister was sworn-in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s Official Residence this morning.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Anoma Gamage has been appointed as the new Acting Minister of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources Development.

Furthermore, State Minister Lucky Jayawardena has sworn-in as the Acting Minister of Higher Education, City Planning and Water Supply.

The appointments come in the wake of the resignations of four high-profile Cabinet Ministers last week.

Ministers Rishad Bathiudeen, Rauff Hakeem and Kabir Hashim resigned from their respective portfolios after accusations were levelled against a group of Muslim politicians in relation to the Easter Sunday Bombings.

A total of nine Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers resigned from their portfolios, paving way for the government to launch an independent inquiry into accusations.