Prasanna Ranatunga was sworn in as the Western Province Chief Minister while Shan Wijeyalal de Silva was sworn in as the Southern Province Chief Minister by President Mahinda Rajapaksa a short while ago, presidential media reported.

Mr. Ranatunga was sworn in as Minister of Finance and Planning, Local Government and Provincial Administration, Law and Order, Education, Human Resources and Employment, Engineering Services and Media in addition to being the Chief Minister while Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijayalal was sworn in as Minister Finance and Planning, Law and Order, Local Government and Transport, Health and Indigenous Medicine, Tourism and Engineering Services.

Councillor Udaya Gammanpila was sworn in as Minister of Agriculture, Agrarian Development, Minor Irrigation, Industry and Environment, Cultural and Arts.

Ranjith Somawansa was sworn in as Minister of Health, Indigenous Medicine, Probation and Child Protection and Council Affairs while Upali Kodikara was sworn in as Minister of Power and Energy, Provincial Roads, Housing and Construction, Water Supply and Drainage, Social Welfare and Urban Infrastructure.

Nimal Lanza was sworn in as Minister of Transport, Sports and Youth and Women Affairs, Food Supply and Distribution, Cooperatives, Domestic Economic Development, Fisheries and Village Development, Tourism, Investment Promotion Coordination and Livestock Development of the Western Province.

Southern Provincial Councillor Chandima Rasaputhra was sworn in as Minister of Lands Development, Highways, Education and Media while Dayawansa Ariyatilaka was sworn in as the Minister of Agriculture, Agrarian Services Development, Irrigation, Water Supply and Drainage, Food Supply and Distribution and Cooperative Development.

Councillor D.V. Upul was sworn in as Minister of Southern Province Fisheries, Animal Food Production and Development, Environment and Village Industries, Power and Rural Infrastructure.