The newly formed National People’s Power (NPP) Government has officially appointed its Deputy Ministers, who took their oaths today before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
This diverse team of 29 Deputy Ministers represents a broad spectrum of expertise, signaling the government’s intention to focus on a range of key policy areas. Below is the list of the newly sworn-in Deputy Ministers and their respective portfolios:
- Professor Anil Jayantha Fernando – Deputy Minister of Economic Development
- Mr. Namal Karunaratne – Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
- Mr. Wasantha Piyatissa – Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security, and Community Empowerment
- Mr. Nalin Hevage – Deputy Minister of Vocational Education
- R. M. Jayawardena – Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Safety, and Cooperative Development
- Mr. Gamagedara Dissanayake – Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs
- Lawyer T. B. Sarath – Deputy Minister of Housing
- Mr. Ratna Gamage – Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Marine Resources
- Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe – Deputy Minister of Labour
- Mr. Aruna Jayasekara – Deputy Minister of Defense
- Mr. Arun Hemachandra – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment
- Mr. Anton Jayakodi – Deputy Minister of Environment
- Mr. Mohammad Munir – Deputy Minister of National Integration
- Engineer Eranga Weeraratne – Deputy Minister of Digital Economy
- Mr. Eranga Gunasekara – Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs
- Mr. Chaturanga Abeysinghe – Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development
- Engineer Janith Ruwan Kodithuvakku – Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation
- Dr. Namal Sudarshana – Deputy Minister of Women and Children Affairs
- Mr. Ruwan Senarath – Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government
- Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena – Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways
- Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni – Deputy Minister of Health and Media
- Mr. Upali Samarasinghe – Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development
- Mr. Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe – Deputy Minister of Tourism
- Mr. Sugath Tillakaratne – Deputy Minister of Sports
- Mr. Sundaralingam Pradeep – Deputy Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure
- Lawyer Mr. Sunil Vatagala – Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
- Dr. Madhura Seneviratne – Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education
- Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
- Dr. Susil Ranasinghe – Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation
This new cabinet reflects a blend of professionals, academics, and seasoned political figures. From economists to engineers and medical professionals, the appointments underline the NPP’s emphasis on domain-specific leadership to drive its reform agenda.
The portfolios indicate a strategic focus on economic development, education, health, agriculture, and digitalization, alongside more traditional areas like defense and foreign affairs. Rural development and community empowerment also remain central to the NPP’s vision of inclusive governance.
The Deputy Ministers are expected to collaborate closely with the senior cabinet members to implement the government’s ambitious reform agenda. They will play a critical role in addressing pressing issues such as economic recovery, infrastructure development, and public welfare.
This event marks a significant milestone in the NPP-led government’s pledge to introduce transformative governance focused on transparency and efficiency.
