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Vijitha Herath

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Hon.
Vijitha Herath
MP
විජිත හේරත්
விஜித ஹேரத்
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Incumbent
Assumed office
24 September 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byAli Sabry
Former cabinet positions
Minister of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community, and Infrastructure
In office
24 September 2024 – 18 November 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byRamesh Pathirana
Succeeded byDammika Patabendi
Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security and Mass Media
In office
24 September 2024 – 18 November 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byVidura Wickremanayake
Succeeded byHiniduma Sunil Senevi
Minister of Public Security
In office
24 September 2024 – 18 November 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byTiran Alles
Succeeded byAnanda Wijepala
Minister of Rural and Urban Development, and Housing and Construction
In office
24 September 2024 – 18 November 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byPrasanna Ranatunga
Succeeded byAnura Karunathilake
Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation
In office
24 September 2024 – 18 November 2024
PresidentAnura Kumara Dissanayake
Prime MinisterHarini Amarasuriya
Preceded byBandula Gunawardane
Succeeded byBimal Rathnayake
Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage
In office
10 April 2004 – 24 June 2005
PresidentChandrika Kumaratunga
Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded byChandrika Kumaratunga
Succeeded byMahinda Yapa Abeywardena
Member of Parliament
for Gampaha District
Incumbent
Assumed office
18 October 2000
Majority716,715 Preferential votes
Personal details
Born
Herath Mudiyanselage Vijitha Herath

(1968-05-01) 1 May 1968 (age 56)
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partyJanatha Vimukthi Peramuna
Other political
affiliations		National People's Power
Residence(s)49/53 B Salmal Uyana, Kirindiwela Road, Yakkala
Alma materUniversity of Kelaniya (BSc)
Websitewww.npp.lk/en/about

Herath Mudiyanselage Vijitha Herath (born 1 May 1968) is a Sri Lankan politician who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs since September 2024. Herath has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Gampaha District since 2000.

Early life and education

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Herath Mudiyanselage Vijitha Herath earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kelaniya, providing a solid foundation for his subsequent career in public service.[1]

Career

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First Cabinet Positions

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Vijitha Herath has held various cabinet positions throughout his political career, showcasing his extensive experience in governance. He briefly served from September to November in the First Dissanayake Cabinet as the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, National Integration, Social Security, and Mass Media; Minister of Environment, Wildlife, Forest Resources, Water Supply, Plantation and Community, and Infrastructure; Minister of Public Security; Minister of Rural and Urban Development, and Housing and Construction; and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation.[2] Additionally, he served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs & National Heritage from 2004 to 2005, focusing on preserving Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage.

Foreign Minister

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In November 2024, Herath was appointed as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, where he oversees Sri Lanka's diplomatic engagements and addresses emerging international challenges. His portfolio includes strengthening diplomatic ties with regional and global partners, advocating for cultural preservation through modern diplomacy, and tackling social security and environmental sustainability on national and international levels. Known for his pragmatic approach, Herath balances Sri Lanka's domestic priorities with its global responsibilities, aligning his governance with socialist ideals while navigating complex political dynamics to achieve tangible outcomes in foreign policy and cultural promotion.[3]

Parliamentary Position

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In 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election, Vijitha Herath set a record by receiving 716,715 votes in Gampaha, the highest ever obtained by a candidate in Sri Lanka's parliamentary electoral history.[4]

Electoral history

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Electoral history of Vijitha Herath
Election Constituency Party Alliance Votes Result
1999 provincial Gampaha District JVP 605 Not Elected
2000 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP 8,823 Elected
2001 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP 13,981 Elected
2004 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP UPFA 215,540 Elected
2010 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP DNA 50,967 Elected
2015 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP 55,299 Elected
2020 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP NPP 37,008 Elected
2024 parliamentary Gampaha District JVP NPP 716,715 Elected

References

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  1. ^ Staff Writer (18 November 2024). "Vijitha Herath: Sri Lanka's Minister Of Foreign Affairs".
  2. ^ "Sri Lanka's new president calls parliamentary election to consolidate his mandate". Associated Press. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
  3. ^ Staff Writer (18 November 2024). "Vijitha Herath: Sri Lanka's Minister Of Foreign Affairs".
  4. ^ "Minister Vijitha Herath sets new Sri Lanka Voting record". Newswire. 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
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