State Minister Sriyani Wijewickrama took oaths as the State Minister of Local Government and Provincial Councils, before President Maithripala Sirisena, this morning. 

Wijewickrama, previously  a Joint Opposition MP,  crossed over to the government last week and pledged support to the President. 

Wijewickrama is a lawyer by profession and represented the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, led by Dinesh Gunawardena.

Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faizer Mustapha too was present at the occasion. 

It is learnt that Weerakumara Dissanayake, another MP who crossed over to the government from the opposition, will also get a ministerial portfolio.