Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga has been appointed the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Media. 

Samaratunga's name was not included in the first list of ministry secretaries as he was "overseas" for a personal matter. 

Samaratunga held the same position in the pre-October 26 government. He was replaced by senior Central Bank official S.R. Attygalle. 

Government sources said Attygalle would be sent back to the Central Bank, with Samaratunga's appointment. 

As per the Gazette notification on assigning subjects to ministries, 48 institutions have been placed under the Ministry of Finance and Media.