President Dissanayake carries out first cabinet reshuffle
Posted on October 11th, 2025
Courtesy Hiru News
The first cabinet reshuffle of the new government was carried out today, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake swearing in three new Cabinet Ministers and ten Deputy Ministers.
The reshuffle increases the number of Cabinet Ministers to 23 and the number of Deputy Ministers to 33.
One significant promotion to the Cabinet is Susil Ranasinghe, who was sworn in as Minister of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply. He previously served as the Deputy Minister of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply.
In a major portfolio change, Bimal Rathnayake was sworn in as the Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development, with the subjects of Ports and Civil Aviation removed from his previous portfolio. The former ministry was recently in the news over the controversial release of 323 containers from Customs.
The new Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation is Anura Karunathilaka.
Five parliamentarians were sworn in as Deputy Ministers for the first time: