Nov 21, Colombo: Recently crossed-over United National Party (UNP) MP Mahinda Rathnathilaka from Ratnapura district was sworn in today as a non cabinet Minister of Textile development before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees. President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and other MP's were also present at the occasion.

Rathnathilaka crossed over to the government last week and voted in support of the budget at the second reading.

Rathnathilaka first became the Deputy Chairman of the Ratnapura Urban Council from Sri Lanka Freedom Party and later joined the UNP and became a Member of Parliament in 2000.