Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday Dec 13, 2024
Friday, 14 August 2020 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Admiral (Rtd.) Jayanath Colombage was appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Relations, replacing career diplomat Ravinatha Aryasinha, who is tipped to be placed as head of mission to a European capital. Admiral Colombage was earlier an Additional Secretary to the President.
Another surprise appointment was that of Dr. Anil Jasinghe, who until yesterday was the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and effectively led the COVID-19 preventive campaign, as the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment.
S.R. Attygalle was retained as the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, while Major General (Rtd.) (Dr.) Sanjeewa Munasinghe, who was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Health in May, was also retained in the post.
Another who retained his position is S. Hettiarachchi, who remains Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism.
Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama, who previously served as the Secretary to Ministry of Urban Development, Water Supply & Housing Facilities, a portfolio held by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, was made the Secretary of the Water Supply Ministry, while onetime UDA Chairman Sirinimal Perera was made the Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing. Career civil servant Chulananda Perera has been appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Industries.
Former Road Development Authority Chairman R.W.R. Pemasiri was named Secretary to the Ministry of Highways, while former Sri Lanka Customs Director General Jagath P. Wijeweera was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media.
Major General (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne will continue as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, while Major General (Rtd.) A.K. Sumedha Perera will continue as Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture. All in all, four retired military officers have been appointed as Ministry Secretaries. Most of the other 25 appointees are SLAS officers.
A Secretary to the Ministry of Justice was not named yesterday.
W.M.D.J. Fernando, who previously held the post of Senior Additional Cabinet Secretary, was appointed Cabinet Secretary.
The full list of new Secretaries is:
W.M.D.J. Fernando: Secretary to the Cabinet Secretary
R.W.R. Pemasiri : Secretary to the Ministry of Highways
S.R. Attygalle: Ministry of Finance
J.J. Rathnasiri: Secretary to the Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government
Jagath P. Wijeweera: Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media
Ravindra Hewawitharana: Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation
D.M. Anura Dissanayake: Secretary to the Ministry of Irrigation
W.A. Chulananda Perera: Secretary to the Ministry of Industries
Wasantha Perera: Secretary to the Ministry of Power
S. Hettiarachchi: Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism
R.A.A.K. Ranawaka: Secretary to the Ministry of Lands
M.P.D.U.K. Mapa Pathirana: Secretary to the Ministry of Labour
R.M.I. Rathnayake: Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries
Major General (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratne: Secretary to the Ministry of Defence
M. K.B. Harischandra: Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation
N.B. Monti Ranatunga: Secretary to the Ministry of Transport
Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama: Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supply
J.M.B. Jayawardene: Secretary to the Ministry of Trade
Major General (Rtd.) (Dr.) Sanjeewa Munasinghe: Secretary to the Ministry of Health
Major General (Rtd.) A.K. Sumedha Perera: Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture
Anuradha Wijekoon: Secretary to the Ministry of Youth and Sports
K.D.R. Olga: Secretary to the Ministry of Energy
Admiral (Rtd.) Jayanath Colombage: Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Relations
Dr. Anil Jasinghe: Secretary to the Ministry of Environment
Prof. Kapila Perera: Secretary to the Ministry of Education
Sirinimal Perera: Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing
