Three new Ministers, 10 Deputies in pre-Budget Cabinet reshuffle

Saturday, 11 October 2025 00:58 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A Cabinet reshuffle took place yesterday with President Anura Kumara Disanayake appointing three new Ministers and 10 new Deputy Ministers in a move aimed at improving coordination and accelerating national development priorities aligned with the 2026 Budget.

According to the Presidential Media Division, the changes are intended to strengthen performance across key sectors, including infrastructure, housing, finance, and urban development, as part of the Government’s medium-term reform agenda.

Bimal Rathnayake, previously Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, now holds the Transport, Highways, and Urban Development portfolio.

Anura Karunathilake, who earlier oversaw Urban Development, Construction and Housing, has been appointed Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation.

H.M. Susil Ranasinghe, formerly Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation, has been elevated to Minister of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply.

Ten new Deputy Ministers were also sworn in.

Anil Jayantha Fernando was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, while T.B. Sarath continues as Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply.

Mohamed Muneer, previously Deputy Minister of National Integration, now serves as Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs.

Other appointments include Eranga Gunasekara as Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Hansaka Wijayamuni as Deputy Minister of Health, Aravinda Senarath Witharana as Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation, Saman Kumara as Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Nishantha Jayaweera as Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Kaushalya Ariyaratne as Deputy Minister of Mass Media, and M.I.M. Arkam as Deputy Minister of Power.

Several key Cabinet members continue in their existing roles.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake remains Minister of Defence, Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and Digital Economy. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya continues to oversee Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education.

Other unchanged positions include Vijitha Herath (Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism), K.D. Lal Kantha (Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation), and Sunil Handunneththi (Industry and Entrepreneurship Development).

Ramalingam Chandrasekar (Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources), Samantha Viddyarathna (Plantation and Community Infrastructure), Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa (Health and Mass Media), and A.H.M.H. Abayarathna (Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government).

Wasantha Samarasinghe (Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development), Harshana Nanayakkara (Justice and National Integration), Saroja Savithri Paulraj (Women and Child Affairs), and Dr. Upali Pannilage (Rural Development Social Security and Community Empowerment) retain their portfolios.

K.M. Ananda Wijepala (Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs), Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi (Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs), Sunil Kumara Gamage (Youth Affairs and Sports), Dr. Chrishantha Abeysena (Science and Technology), Eng. Kumara Jayakody (Energy), and Dr. Dammika Patabendi (Environment), also retain their portfolios.