UNP's Lionel Premasiri sworn in as Deputy Minister

Wimal Premaratne.

COLOMBO: Galle District UNP MP Lionel Premasiri was yesterday sworn in as the Deputy Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees.

Speaking to the Daily News shortly thereafter, Premasiri said he decided to join President Mahinda Rajapaksa in order to support him in his genuine effort to develop the country.

The MP said " at this moment in time we must unite as one in extending our support to the President and his Government in their endeavour to

solve the national problem and save the country from terrorism in order to implement his development programme.

Lionel Premasiri was the Mayor of Galle from 1997 to 2001 representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party .From 2001 to 2004 he held the Mayorship of the Galle Municipal Council as a UNP Member and entered Parliament as a UNP member for the Galle District in 2004. At the same time he was also the UNP Chief Organizer for the Habaraduwa Electorate.

"President Rajapaksa has been entrusted with an onerous task in steering the ship of state. My aim is to cooperate with him as a member of the opposition without subjecting myself as a mere slave to the agenda of a particular political party.

I am highly appreciative of the President's dedication to develop the country. I continue to be a UNP Member of Parliament while ensuring the victory of the Government's development programme, stated Deputy Minister Premasiri.

Ministers Amarasiri Dodangoda, Piyasena Gamage, Dinesh Gunawardena, Deputy Ministers Gunaratne Weerakone and Nirmala Kotalawala and President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga were present on the occasion.