By Walter Jayawardhana

Shan Wijayalal de Silva took oaths as the Southern Province Chief Minister with four other colleagues as his ministers at a ceremony presided over at the Presidential Secretariat in Galle Face Colombo.

President Rajapaksa addressing them said they received the ministerial portfolios not only to serve their district but all three districts of the Province, Matara, Galle and Hambantota. He said it was the party that helped to those positions and they were elected to serve the people.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Former Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal De Silva took oaths as the Chief Minister. In addition, he is also the Minister of Finance and Planning, Law and Order, Transport, Water Supply, Power, Engineering Services, Health, Indigenous Medicine and Local Government.

Hemal Gunasekera took oaths as Minister for Lands and Land Development, Irrigation, Highways, Information and Rural and Estate Infrastructure.

The Minister for Education and Cultural Affairs, Food Supply and Distribution, Trade and Cooperative Development is V.K. Indika.

The Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Rural Industries, Rural Development, Tourism, Economic Development, Social Welfare, Probation and Child Care Services, WomenƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Affairs, Housing and Construction and Manpower and Employment is U.G.D. Ariyatilake.

Bindu Weerasinghe is the Minister for Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Livestock Production and Development, Fisheries and Environment. They took oaths before Governor Kumari Balasuriya.

Mohan Priyadharshana Silva was proposed as Chairman of the Southern Province, Viyaja Dahanayake as Vice Chairman, D.V. Upul as leader of the House and Justin Galappatti as Chief Government Whip. All elected Provincial Councillors of the Freedom Alliance were also sworn-in.

Minister Maithripala Sirisena also spoke. Members of the Maha Sangha, Parliamentarians, Provincial Governors and Chief Ministers and Alliance party leaders were presente.