Following a landslide victory in the snap parliamentary elections last week, Sri Lank's re-elected Marxist-leaning Pres. Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a new 21-member cabinet.

Al Jazeera

While the Constitution requires a 30-member cabinet, Dissanayake, whose National People's Power Party won 159 of the 225 parliamentary seats, is part of the president's pledge to streamline governance. He's also promised to create a new constitution.

ABC News

Outlook India

Among those staying from the last cabinet include Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who will also lead the ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education. Vijitha Herath will remain as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.

Newsonair.Gov.In

Others incude Bimal Rathnayake for Transport, Highways and Civil Aviation, and Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa to oversee Health and Media.

While Eight of the appointees are veteran cabinet members, including for jobs such as finance and defense, 12 are new appointees, including fisheries minister Ramalingam Chandrasekaran, who also represents a minority representation.

Dissanayake's reduced cabinet is part of his goal to reach the targets set by an IMF bailout deal signed by his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe. While he previously criticized it for burdening the people too much, he's promised to abide by it.

Taipei Times

Sri Lanka's leftist political movement has been struggling to gain power for over half a century, and the NPP has finally given people hope for a recent win and offers hope for a fresh, positive future. While critics claim the incoming government is inexperienced, the truth is that integrity, political will, and commitment matter more. These appointees are also professionals who will base their government policies on expertise and science.

Sri Lanka: Re-Elected President Appoints New 21-Member Cabinet

The Spin

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Sri Lanka: Re-Elected President Appoints New 21-Member Cabinet

The Spin

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