President Mahinda Rajapaksa today appointed Dr. Sarath Amunugama as the Senior Adviser to the President.

Dr. Amunugama, a civil servant by profession held a number of Cabinet portfolios including Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Public Administration and Home Affairs.

He studied at Trinity College, Kandy and graduated from the University of Ceylon. He joined Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) in 1962. During his career he served as Government Agent of the Kandy District, Director of Information, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and later Chairman to the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Before entering active politics, he worked as an International Civil Servant for UNESCO Head Quarters in Paris.

He also holds the post of Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning in the new Cabinet.