Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence. (file)
Colombo:
Debt-ridden Sri Lanka on Friday appointed nine new cabinet ministers in an effort to ensure stability till the formation of a full cabinet in the island nation, which is facing its worst economic crisis since independence.
Former minister Nimal Siripala da Silva, representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), independent MPs Sushil Premjayanta, Vijayadasa Rajapakse, Tiran Ales are among the nine new ministers who were sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday. four ministers have already left swearing in last week,
According to media reports, the cabinet will have 25 members including the President and the Prime Minister.
Nimal Siripala da Silva Ports has been appointed as the Minister of Navy and Aviation Services, Sushil Premjayant as the Minister of Education, while Keheliya Rambukwella took oath as the Minister of Health and Vijayadas Rajapaksa as the Minister of Justice, Prisons Affairs, Constitutional Reforms, NewsFirst. Sworn in as minister. .lk reported.
Other ministers appointed include Harin Fernando as Minister of Tourism and Land, Ramesh Pathirana as Minister of Plantation Industries, Manusha Nanayakara as Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment, Nalin Fernando as Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security and Tiran. Ales included. As the Minister of Public Security, the report said.
Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948.
The crisis is partly due to a lack of foreign exchange, which means the country cannot pay for imports of staple foods and fuels, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.
Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets across Sri Lanka since April 9 to demand the resignation of President Rajapaksa as the government does not have money for vital imports.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)