At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), President Anura Kumara Disanayake has departed for the UAE to participate in the World Governments Summit 2025. As a result, four acting ministers have been appointed to oversee key ministries during his absence.
Acting ministers have been appointed for three ministries under the President’s purview: the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, which is overseen by Minister Vijitha Herath, who is also accompanying the President on his official visit.
The appointed acting ministers are as follows:
Acting Minister of Digital Economy – Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne
Acting Minister of Defence – Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekara
Acting Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayanta Fernando
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism – Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra
