Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya officially assumed duties on Tuesday (24) as the Women, Children, Youth Affairs, and Sports Minister at the Ministry premises. 

The event was attended by Ministry Secretary K. Mahesan, Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando, along with other senior officials from the Ministry.

Having arrived at the Sports Ministry premises the newly sworn Premier engaged in discussions with its officials and stressed that the new caretaker Government of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was hopeful of receiving the support of everyone to further develop sports in the country. 

The previous Sports Ministry Secretary K. Mahesan will continue to function in his portfolio during the tenure of the current caretaker administration of Dissanayake.

Dr. Amarasuriya was welcomed on arrival at the Ministry premises by DG of the Sports Ministry Prof. Shemal Fernando and Secretary Mahesan.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports was helmed by ex-President Ranil Wickremasinghe till his exit as Head of State on 23 September, after the expulsion of former Minister Harin Fernando via a Supreme Court ruling on 9 August.

Fernando was appointed as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports by the UNP Leader after the sacking of then Minister Roshan Ranasinghe on 27 November last year.

Ranasinghe had succeeded 2024 Presidential candidate and former SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa after the latter’s resignation from the post on 3 April 2022.

 (JK)