Development Assignments Minister Tilak Marapana was sworn in as the new Foreign Minister before President Maithripala Sirisena, a short while ago.

Marapana replaces former Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake who publicly resigned from office due to corruption allegations.

Marapana was previously the Law, Order and Prison Reforms Minister but resigned from his portfolio in 2015.

He was appointed Development Assignments Minister during the first national unity government Cabinet reshuffle on May 22.  

However, questions still remain around Karunanayake’s personal staff that is still reportedly occupying the Ministry.

Sources close to Karunanyake said that keeping his personal staff at the ministry was one condition Karunanyake asked of the President and the Prime Minister before tendering his resignation.

Karunanayake is also reportedly still using his ministry vehicle and other facilities he enjoyed as a Cabinet minister.