Sri Lanka’s new cabinet, including four members of the Rajapaksa family, took oath on Wednesday with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa retaining the key defence ministry while the finance portfolio went to newly-elected Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa after their party won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections last week.
Gotabaya administered the oath of office to the 28-member cabinet which is two less than the 30 allowed by the Constitution. He also appointed 40 state ministers. The swearing-in ceremony was held in the central town of Kandy.
Gotabaya retained the ministry of defence while his elder brother Mahinda will handle finance, urban development and Buddhist affairs.
Mahinda’s elder son, Namal Rajapaksa has been named the minister of youth affairs and sports — a first time cabinet position since he entered parliament in 2010.
Chamal Rajapaksa was named as irrigation minister in addition to being the state minister of internal security. His son Shasheendra was also given a state ministry.