October 12, Colombo (LNW): The latest reshuffle within the Cabinet of Ministers under the National People’s Power (NPP) government has been formally ratified, with the publication of an official Gazette notification outlining the revised allocation of ministerial and deputy ministerial responsibilities.
This follows the announcement made on October 10, when the government unveiled adjustments to several key positions, including the reassignment of three Cabinet-level portfolios and the induction of ten Deputy Ministers. The newly appointed officials took their oaths before the President during a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat on the same day.
The reshuffle, conducted under the constitutional provisions of Articles 44(2) and 46(1) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, was officially enacted on the authority of the President. The Gazette notification was issued by Dr N. S. Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, thereby bringing legal validity to the changes.
Among the more notable reassignments is the reallocation of the Ports and Civil Aviation portfolio. Bimal Rathnayaka, who previously held a consolidated brief as Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, has been relieved of responsibilities related to maritime and aviation affairs. Instead, he assumes oversight of Urban Development, and now serves as Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.
Taking charge of the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry is Anura Karunathilaka, who has transitioned from his earlier role as Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing. His new appointment reflects a targeted shift in focus, perhaps suggesting the government’s intent to streamline infrastructure governance.
Meanwhile, the Construction and Housing brief previously held by Minister Karunathilaka has been entrusted to Dr H. M. Susil Ranasinghe. Formerly serving as Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation, Dr Ranasinghe has now been elevated to Cabinet rank and will oversee the newly configured Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply.
In addition to the changes at the Cabinet level, four individuals—Dr Kaushalya Ariyarathna, Dinindu Saman Kumara, Nishantha Jayaweera, and M. Arkam—have been brought into government as Deputy Ministers, marking their first official entry into ministerial office. Their appointments form part of a broader strategy to inject fresh energy into the administration and ensure more comprehensive representation across regions and policy domains.
