The newly appointed chief minister of the Western and Southern Provincial Councils will be sworn in before President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday morning at an auspicious time. 

UPFA Sources confirmed 'Asian Mirror' last night that former Chief Ministers of the two provinces, namely Prasanna Ranatunga and Shan Wijayalal de Silva will retain their positions for five more years.

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Along with ministers, new ministers of the two councils will also take oaths before the President at a  brief ceremony that will be held at Temple Trees on Friday morning with the participation of senior members of the UPFA.

Although the list of ministers was not finalized as of last night, highly placed UPFA sources said 'seniority' would be the key factor when appointing ministers. It is learnt that Udaya Gammanpila and Upali Kodikara, who were campaigning for the Chief Ministerial positions, will receive ministerial portfolios. 

Meanwhile, the UNP has decided to appoint Manju Sri Arangala and Ashoka Dhanawansa as the opposition leaders of Western and Southern Provincial Councils. Both Arangala and Dhanawansa are senior politicians who have years of experience at Provincial Council level. 

The decision has been made by the Leadership Council of the United National Party in consultation with its National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.