With President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s departure for a state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, five acting ministers have been appointed to oversee key ministries under the president’s purview.

Acting ministers have been appointed for three ministries under the president’s direct purview: the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Additionally, acting ministers have been assigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, as well as the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation.

The acting ministers are as follows:

• Acting Minister of Digital Economy: Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne
• Acting Minister of Defence: Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekera
• Acting Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development: Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando
• Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism: Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra
• Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation: Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Kumara Gunasena