Colombo: Amid ongoing anti-government protests in Sri Lanka as a result of the country's economic and political crisis, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is preparing to appoint new ministers to the island nation's council of ministers, while the size of the Cabinet is expected to remain small to ensure the government's smooth functioning.

The swearing-in of the ministers is scheduled for today, amid escalating anti-government rallies.

"Today is the inauguration of the new cabinet. Continue with President and Prime Minister (Mahinda Rajapaksa). As Cabinet ministers, several new and young faces will be appointed "According to a member of the ruling party's parliament. "The President instructed his political allies to form a small Cabinet to manage the country," as per the report.

Due to widespread anti-government protests, Sri Lanka's entire cabinet resigned in the first week of April. The President's decision to appoint a new Cabinet with inexperienced ministers was met with resistance in Sri Lanka. In the meantime, the President is forming a new Cabinet, ostensibly under the pressure of the country's demonstrators and ahead of the upcoming Parliament session.

On April 19, the Sri Lankan Parliament will meet with new Cabinet ministers, while the opposition is expected to increase pressure in response to the growing protests.

"The President will not leave from his job before the end of his tenure," governing party MPs announced during the last Parliament session. Sri Lanka is experiencing a currency crisis, limiting its ability to import food and fuel. Sri Lanka was forced to seek aid from friendly countries due to a shortage of basic products. The economic condition has sparked widespread protests, with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa being called to quit.

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