Students from Karavita Central College, Ratnapura, St. Anthony Girls’ College, Katugasthota and Rajasinghe Central College, Ruwanwella, visited the Presidential Secretariat today (19).

This visit was part of a program jointly organized by the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Education, and the Mass Communication Division of the Parliament. The program offers schoolchildren from across the island the opportunity to visit key government institutions, including the Presidential Secretariat, the President’s House, the Colombo Port City, and the Parliament.

During their visit to the Presidential Secretariat, the students were given an informative session about the history of the Parliament.

To commemorate the occasion, the principals and students of the visiting schools presented commemorative gifts to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, the Secretary to the President. In return, Dr. Kumanayake presented a valuable tree as a souvenir to be planted in each of the schools.

Later, Dr. Kumanayake engaged in a friendly conversation with the students, creating a memorable interaction.

Senior Advocate J.M. Wijebandara, the Director General Legal of the Presidential Secretariat, was also present at the event.

[PMD]

Newly appointed Deputy Ministers of the National People’s Power (NPP) government were sworn in today (21) before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new Deputy Ministers are as follows:

1. Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando : Deputy Minister of Economic Development
2. Mr. Namal Karunarathne : Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock
3. Mr. Wasantha Piyathissa : Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment
4. Mr. Nalin Hewage : Deputy Minister of Vocational Education
5. Mr. R.M. Jayawardena : Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security
6. Mr. Gamagedara Dissanayake : Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs
7. Mr. T.B. Sarath : Deputy Minister of Housing
8. Mr. Rathna Gamage : Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources
9. Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe : Deputy Minister of Labour
10. Mr. Aruna Jayasekara : Deputy Minister of Defence
11. Mr. Arun Kemachandra : Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment
12. Mr. Anton Jayakody : Deputy Minister of Environment
13. Mr. Mohommed Muneer : Deputy Minister of National Integrity
14. Eng. Eranga Weerarathne : Deputy Minister of Digital Economy
15. Mr. Eranga Gunasekara :Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs
16. Mr. Chathuranga Abeysinghe : Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development
17. Eng. Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku : Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation
18. Dr. Namal Sudarshana : Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs
19. Mr. Ruwan Senarath : Deputy Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governance
20. Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena : Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways
21. Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni : Deputy Minister of Health and Media
22. Mr. Upali Samarasinghe : Deputy Minister of Co-operative Development
23. Mr. Ruwan Chaminda Ranasinghe : Deputy Minister of Tourism
24. Mr. Sugath Thilakarathne : Deputy Minister of Sports
25. Mr. Sundaralingam Pradeep : Deputy Minister of Plantation and Community Infrastructure
26. Attorney Sunil Watagala : Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs
27. Dr. Madhura Senevirathne : Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education
28. Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma : Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
29. Dr. Susil Ranasinghe : Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the event.

Gampaha District Member of Parliament Hemali Weerasekara was unanimously elected as the Deputy Chairperson of Committees. Her nomination was proposed by Minister  Sunil Handunnetti, and was seconded by Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe.

The new Deputy Chairperson of Committees is a former member of the Mahara Pradeshiya Sabha and a professional laboratory technician. She completed her education at Yasodara Vidyalaya, Colombo and Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo.  She has been an active member of the NPP’s district and women’s executive committees.