The UNP MP Thalatha Atukorale has been appointed as Sri Lanka's new justice minister, after Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was forced to resign over allegations of corruption.
His portfolio has been divided between Ms Atukorale and Gamini Jayawickrama who has been appointed the new minister of Buddha Sasana.
Ms Atukorale came into politics in 2004, following the death of her brother, the UNP MP and assistant party leader.
In March 2014, the Colombo Page reported as a then UNP MP she was to accompany the then government's delegation to the UN Human Rights council along side fellow UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella as the government attempted to thwart the international investigation into war crimes in the country.
She was appointed as the cabinet minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare by President Sirisena on January 12, 2015 following his election victory.
In January this year, Hiru News reported that Ms Atukorale had criticised the former president's relationship with the Tamil paramilitary leader, Karuna Amman stating, "Anyone should be punished if found guilty of doing wrong".
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