President Kumaratunga has added portfolios to existing ministers

One non-Cabinet minister and six deputy ministers also took their oaths on Monday in Colombo before the president.

Portfolios of former JVP Ministers Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Lal Kantha have been divided and other portfolios were added to existing ministries.

The JVP withdrew the support for the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government on 16 June protesting against the Tsunami Relief Council (TRC) agreement between the government and the Tamil Tigers.

President Kumaratunga currently heads a minority government.

She has not appointed a new minister for the vacancy created by the resignation of Minister Mangala Samaraweera from the Media ministry, while Deputy Minister Dilan Perera took oaths as Deputy Minister for Information and Media.

Dilan Perera effectively takes control over Media ministry

Former Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva, who resigned earlier after his son was accused of involving in a brawl in a night club, has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Labour Relations and Foreign Employment.

New ministers: Minister Maithripala Sirisena - Minister of Irrigation, Mahaweli and Rajarata Development, Minister Milroy Fernando - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic Resource and Christian Affairs, Minister Tissa Karalliyadda - Minister of Land and Indigenous Medicine, Minister S. B. Nawinna - Minister of Small and Rural Industries, Minister C. B. Ratnayake - Minister of Medium & Small Scale Plantation Industries, Rural Human Resource Development and Livestock.

Deputy Minister Cegu Isadean has been appointed as Non-Cabinet Minister Assisting Small and Rural Industries.

New deputy ministers : Deputy Minister Jagath Pushpakumara - Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Deputy Minister Dilan Perera - Deputy Minister of Information and Media, Deputy Minister Jayaratne Herath - Deputy of Healthcare, Nutrition and Uva Wellassa Development, Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekera - Deputy Minister of Irrigation, Mahaweli and Rajarata Development, Deputy Minister Chandrasiri Gajadeera - Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Member of Parliament Mervyn Silva - Deputy Minister of Labour Relations and Foreign Employment.