Newly appointed, the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Honourable Vijitha Herath, officially assumed his role today at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Ports and Aviation.
Addressing attendees, Minister Herath emphasised the trust and mandate bestowed upon him by the people, underlining the importance of integrity and accountability in governance. “The people of this country gave us the new mandate with confidence, with good intentions in mind for building a better country,” he stated. “A great responsibility has been assigned to me for that.”
Highlighting the issues of past fraud and mismanagement, Minister Herath stressed the need for self-censorship among employees to prevent future waste and ensure proper procurement practices. “Following tender procedures and procurement methods through proper channels is everyone’s responsibility. I believe that it is essential for the betterment of the organisation,” he added.
The Minister called for unity and collaboration within the ministry to bring about positive change. “We are collectively going to make a difference as a ministry and as a country, leaving aside all differences. I request all of you to contribute to this journey,” he urged, expressing his hope for the support of all stakeholders.
In addition to his role in ports and civil aviation, Minister Herath also oversees multiple ministries, including Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security, Media, Transport and Highways, Public Security, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Rural and Urban Development, and Housing and Works.
