Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Sri Lankan leader appoints Cabinet, swears in brother as PM

Sri Lankan leader appoints Cabinet, swears in brother as PM | iNFOnews.ca
Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stands for the national anthem at the presidential secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to name his Cabinet later, on the advice of the new prime minister. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s new president has appointed a 15-member interim Cabinet including his brother as prime minister.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was elected last week, also said Friday he would call a parliamentary election as early as allowed. The parliamentary term ends next August, and the constitution allows the president to dissolve Parliament in March and go for an election.

He is expected to secure a majority in the 225-member Parliament to run the administration.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa was defence minister when his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was president and both enjoy support from majority Sinhala Buddhists for ending a devastating civil war.

The president sought his Cabinet’s support to implement the policy pledges that brought him to power and urged them to fulfil the aspirations of the public who wanted political change.

News from © iNFOnews.ca, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

iNFOTEL

Related Articles