Minister de Silva held the same position in the previous government

The former Health minister and the minister in charge of Irrigation and Water Resource Development in the new Cabinet of Ministers held the same position in the previous parliament.

Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva was also the head of the government delegation for the peace talks with the now defeated Tamil Tigers.

Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has been re-appointed as the Chief Government Whip, the Information Department website said.

In the previous government, he was appointed to the same post after the assassination of Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopullai.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier appointed 37 cabinet ministers and 39 deputy ministers.

Minister DM Jayarathne was appointed as the Prime Minister in the new government replacing Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, who also holds a senior cabinet post.

Prof. GL Peiris was appointed as the new Foreign Minister.

The main opposition, United National Party (UNP) earlier appointed John Amarathunge, MP, as the Chief Opposition Whip replacing Joseph Michael Perera.