Their appointment letters signed by the president were issued yesterday (22), sources at the president’s office say.

The new district development committees of the government have two chairmen, one each from the UNP and the SLFP.

All future development activities in the districts are taking place through these committees.

The chairmen of these committees are equal to full ministerial positions and they enjoy all privileges and powers of ministers.

The president yesterday also appointed the following new district coordinating committee chairmen from the SLFP: Mahinda Samarasinghe for Kalutara district, S.B. Dissanayake for Kandy district, Anura yapa for Kurunegala district, Lakshman Yapa for Matara district, Susil Premajayantha for Colombo district, Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle for Gamapaha district, Duminda Dissanayake for Anuradhapura district and Siripala Gamlath for Polonnaruwa district.