The new state ministerial and deputy ministerial appointments, given by President Maithripala Sirisena this morning,  have raised many an eyebrow, informed political sources said. 

Ranjith Aluwihare, a devout Buddhist, has been appointed the State Minister of Christian Religious Affairs. He hails from a staunch Buddhist family and is a custodian of the Aluwihare Buddhist temple in Matale. 

Kadar Masthan, an MP representing the SLFP, has been appointed the Deputy Minister of Hindu Religious Affairs.

While Mastan became the Deputy Minister of Hindu religious affairs, Angajan Ramanathan, a Tamil politician from Jaffna, took oaths as the Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

"This must be an extension of the scientific Cabinet reshuffle," a ruling party politician quipped, commenting on the latest appointments.