Sustainable Development and Wildlife Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera this morning took oaths before President Maithripala Sirisena as Buddhasasana Minister. 

He replaces former Justice and Buddhasasana Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who was removed from office by the President on Wednesday.

Minister Jayawickrema was a former Cabinet Minister of Food Protection.

He was elected as the chairman of ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) in April 2016.

He was also the Chairman of United National Party (UNP) and the former Cabinet Minister for Irrigation and Water Management.