The new Cabinet of Ministers of the UPFA government headed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in at the Presidential Secretariat on 23 April 2010.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will shortly appoint a Commission to report on the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation with regard to the difficulties and troubled times that Sri Lanka had to undergo due to the terrorist inspired, manoeuvred and created conflict situation in recent years.

The new Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris assumed duties at the Ministry of External Affairs on 3rd May 2010 (today) amidst the chanting of pirith followed by a brief sermon and blessings by the religious dignitaries present on the occasion.

Thereafter, addressing the staff of the Ministry, the new External Affairs Minister stated that he has assumed duties as the Minister of External Affairs at a time when terrorism has been successfully defeated and the focus is on social and economic development.

The new Deputy Minister of External Affairs, Gitanjana Gunawardena assumed duties at the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday 26th April 2010.

Addressing the invitees and staff of the Ministry, the Deputy Minister stated he is assuming duties as the Deputy Minister of External Affairs at a momentous time in the history of our country when terrorism has been defeated and the people have given a resounding mandate to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take the country forward towards making Sri Lanka ‘the wonder of Asia’. 

The first ever “Sri Lanka Culture Week” in Kuwait was held from 26th April – 02nd May 2010 jointly hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka and the National Council for Culture, Arts & Letters.