Dayasiri J., Sarath E. sworn in as CMs of NWP, CP respectively

Former UNP Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera and former Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka were sworn in before President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the two new Chief Ministers for the NorthWestern Province (NWP) and the Central Province (CP) respectively on Thursday.

Mr Jayasekera who crossed over to the UPFA prior to the election, polled the highest number of votes from the NWP, while Mr. Ekanayaka who has served two previous terms as Chief Minister, was re-appointed to the post, even though he did not top the preferential votes in the CP.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratna’s son, Anuradha Jayaratna, who secured the highest number of preferential votes in the CP, however, was not appointed to the CM’s post.

Eight councillors were also sworn in as ministers in the two PCs, while all the councillors elected to the NWP and CP also took their oaths at the same function.

The swearing-in was held at an auspicious time at the Presidential Secretariat.

Northern Province Chief Minister C,V. Wignesweran will take his oaths tomorrow before President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo tomorrow.