[size=12pt] Sri Lanka's major opposition appoints a shadow cabinet [/size]
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 4:52 GMT, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Oct 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka's major opposition, United National Party (UNP) has appointed a shadow cabinet, media reports said. Thirty seven UNP MPs have been named as spokespersons in various subject areas.

Party leader Ranil Wickremasinghe, Chairman Rukman Senanayake, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Media Unit Chief Lakshman Kiriella have been exempted from the posts of spokespersons of the shadow cabinet.

The shadow cabinet members are expected to participate in the debates relevant to their appointed minstries.

The list of the names and the relevant subject areas are as follows:


Joseph Michael Perera – Public Administration
John Amaratunga – Internal Security, Plan and Implementation and Aviation
K. N. Choksy – Justice and Constitutional affairs
Vajira Abeywardena – Home affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government
Jayalath Jayawardena – Human Rights, National Integration and Nation Building
Gayantha Karunatilake – Media
Thalatha Atukorala – Lands and Gems
Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake – Women’s Affairs, Child Development
Renuka Herath – Health
Sarathchandra Rajakaruna – Religious Affairs, Sacred Areas, Indigenous Medicines
Ranjith Madduma Bandara – Education
A Haleem – Vocational Training, Upcountry Affairs
Larine Perera – Social Services
Johnston Fernando – Labour
Palitha Ranga Bandara - Samurdhi
Indika Bandaranayake – Cultural Affairs and National Heritage
Sajith Premadasa – Housing
Akila Kariyawasam – Higher Education (Technical Education)
Dunesh Gankanda – Youth Affairs and Sports
Jayawickrama Perera – Agriculture and Livestock Development
Ravindra Samaraweera – Plantation Industries
Ravi Karunanayaka – Finance Budget, Fiscal Affairs and International Trade
Kabir Hashim – Economic Reforms, Monetary Affairs, Banking, Financial Services, Pension Funds Investments
Ranjith Aluvihare – Foreign Employment
Dileep Wedaarachchi – Fisheries
Champika Premadasa – Small and Medium Enterprises, Rural Industries and Cooperatives (Self Employment)
Chandrani Bandara – Tourism
Dayasiri Jayasekara – Industries and Consumer Affairs
Naushad Mohomed – Science and Technology
Lakshman Senewiratne – Irrigation and Water Management
A. R. M. Abdul Carder – Urban Development
P. Harrison – Environment
Sarath Ranawaka – Transport and Construction
Earl Gunasekara – Highways
Sagala Ratnayaka – Power and Electricity
M. Maharoof – Ports
Edward Gunasekara – Posts and Telecommunications