Sept 24, Colombo: The newly-elected councilors for the three councils of Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern provinces took oaths from the President Mahinda Rajapaksa today at the Presidential Secretariat.

S.M.Ranjith took oaths as he Chief Minister of the North Central Province and Mahipala Herath took oaths as the Chief Minister of the Sabaragamuwa Province.

Speaking to the new provincial ministers and councilors, President Rajapaksa asked them to dedicate their service to the welfare of the people of the provinces and ensure their well-being.

He said that the people's confidence in the government has been consolidated with the provincial council election mandate and noted that this is the last occasion that the Chief Minister post will be given to those who have obtained the highest number of preferential votes.

The President also stressed that it is the stance of the government that the executive, the judiciary and the legislature should work jointly and the three institutions should identify their responsibilities and work accordingly.

(Presidential Media Unit)