Four ministers sworn into Sri Lanka’s new cabinet

Protestors wave Sri Lankan flags during a demonstration in Colombo on April 3, 2022. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)

COLOMBO – Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday swore in four ministers into the new cabinet, hours after cabinet ministers tendered their resignations amidst a severe economic and political crisis in the nation.

Officials from the President's Office said that former Justice Minister Ali Sabry was sworn in as the new finance minister while GL Peiris was sworn in as the foreign minister, Dinesh Gunawardena as the education minister and Johnston Fernando as the highways minister.

Sri Lanka has for days been facing public protests calling on immediate measures to be taken by the government to solve the economic crisis

More ministers will be sworn into the cabinet in the coming days if the opposition parties agree to form a united government, government officials said.

Sri Lanka has for days been facing public protests calling for immediate measures to be taken by the government to solve the economic crisis, hours-long power cuts and shortages in fuel and other essential supplies.

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Sri Lanka's cabinet ministers offered to resign from their positions on Sunday night in response to calls from increasing protests amid economic instability and a severe fuel shortage in the South Asian country.

Rajapaksa on Monday extended an invitation to all political parties to join the government to find solutions to the crisis.

Sri Lankan undergraduates protest blocking a highway demanding the government step down during a curfew in Colombo, Sri Lanka, April 3, 2022. (ERANGA JAYAWARDENA / AP)

In a statement, the President's Media Division said that the current crisis was a result of several economic factors and global developments and Sri Lanka should find solutions within a democratic framework.

"Considering this a national need, the time has come to work together for the sake of all the citizens and the future generations. The president invites all political parties representing in the parliament to come together to accept ministerial portfolios in order to find solutions to this national crisis," the statement reads.

The country has also suffered a shortage in essential supplies such as food and medicines and in foreign currencies with several sectors being affected as a result.

READ MORE: Sri Lanka lifts curfew after violent protests over economic crisis 

A 36-hour curfew came into force on Saturday evening and was lifted early Monday in a bid to ensure law and order in the country, police said.