New Cabinet limited to 26 ministers?

The Cabinet of Ministers of the 9th Parliament of Sri Lanka will be sworn in after the Election Commission publishes the extraordinary gazette notification containing the names of the elected parliamentarians and National List nominees.

According to sources from the government, the Cabinet of Ministers is scheduled to take oaths on the 14th of August at the King’s Court of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Government sources also confirmed that the new Cabinet will be limited to 26 ministers.

In the meantime, leader of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Mahinda Rajapaksa will take oaths as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka tomorrow (09).

He will take oath before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya at 8.30 am.

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages continued to pour in as more Heads of States extended their well wishes to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for the landslide victory clinched at the General Election 2020.

Taking to his official Twitter account, the prime minister expressed his gratitude to the congratulatory messages.

Thank you for the well wishes from President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party. China’s support for Sri Lanka’s development spans decades. I’m certain that our long-standing, friendly relations will continue to improve as we enhance our cooperation.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 8, 2020

Thank you Prime Minister @AbeShinzo for your congratulatory wishes. I recall the great strides our two countries made during my presidency with my visit to Japan and your visit to Sri Lanka. I hope we can continue to further that cooperation and our long-established partnership.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 8, 2020

Many thanks to Pakistan Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI for your phone call and warm wishes. I look forward to mutual high-level visits between our countries to strengthen our friendly bilateral ties.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 8, 2020

I thank Prime Minister of Australia @ScottMorrisonMP for your kind wishes. Sri Lanka & Australia have been steadfast partners for many years on a number of issues. I specially remember Australia's support during CHOGM 2013. I know our good relations will continue to grow strong.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 7, 2020

Thank you to @PM_Nepal KP Sharma Oli for your call, warm wishes and the invitation to visit Nepal. Sri Lanka values its friendly relations with your country & will always stand by the people of Nepal in times of need. I look forward to further enhancing our cooperation.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 7, 2020

Thank you Maldives President @ibusolih and Vice President @FaisalNasym for your calls and warm wishes. Look forward to working with you closely on matters of mutual interest to both Sri Lanka and Maldives.

— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 6, 2020