Sri Lankan president expands cabinet to 59 members

By DPA,

Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa began his second term in office by expanding his cabinet to 59 members Monday, officials said.

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The previous 41-member cabinet was increased by creating new positions of “senior ministers”.

Rajapaksa himself retained important portfolios such as defence and finance, while D.M. Jayaratna was reappointed as premier.

G.L. Peiris was also retained as the foreign minister.

“I hope that the new members will serve the people without spending excessively on extra vehicles and such luxuries,” Rajapaksa told the cabinet.

Thirty-one deputy ministers were also sworn in.