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

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.{{Cite web |title=Vijitha Herath: Sri Lanka's Minister Of Foreign Affairs |url=https://menafn.com/1108896106/Vijitha-Herath-Sri-Lankas-Minister-Of-Foreign-Affairs |date=November 18, 2024 |author=Staff Writer}}

Career

=First Cabinet Positions=

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.{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka's new president calls parliamentary election to consolidate his mandate |url=https://apnews.com/article/sri-lanka-prime-minister-election-66fd3b9e7f42a0ec7fb3f37e60ad0ca6 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Associated Press|date=24 September 2024 }} 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=

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.{{Cite web |title=Vijitha Herath: Sri Lanka's Minister Of Foreign Affairs |url=https://menafn.com/1108896106/Vijitha-Herath-Sri-Lankas-Minister-Of-Foreign-Affairs |date=November 18, 2024 |author=Staff Writer}}

Parliamentary Position

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.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=Minister Vijitha Herath sets new Sri Lanka Voting record |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2024/11/15/minister-vijitha-herath-sets-new-sri-lanka-voting-record/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Newswire |language=en-US}}

=Electoral history=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" \|+ Electoral history of Vijitha Herath ! scope=col\|Election ! scope=col\|Constituency ! scope=col colspan="2"\|Party ! scope=col colspan="2"\|Alliance ! scope=col\|Votes ! scope=col\|Result
1999 provincial	Gampaha District	rowspan ="8" style="background:{{party color\|Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna}};"\|	JVP			align=right\|605	{{no2\|Not Elected}}
2000 parliamentary	Gampaha District	JVP			align=right\|{{Nts\|8,823}}	{{yes2\|Elected}}
2001 parliamentary	Gampaha District	JVP			align=right\|{{Nts\|13,981}}	{{yes2\|Elected}}
2004 parliamentary	Gampaha District	JVP	style="background:{{party color\|United People's Freedom Alliance}};"\|	UPFA	align=right\|{{Nts\|215,540}}	{{yes2\|Elected}}
2010 parliamentary	Gampaha District	JVP	style="background:{{party color\|Democratic National Alliance}};"\|	DNA	align=right\|{{Nts\|50,967}}	{{yes2\|Elected}}
2015 parliamentary	Gampaha District	JVP			align=right\|{{Nts\|55,299}}	{{yes2\|Elected}}
2020 parliamentary	Gampaha District	JVP	rowspan="8" style="background:{{party color\|National People's Power}};" \|	NPP	align=right\|{{Nts\|37,008}}	{{yes2\|Elected}}
2024 parliamentary \|Gampaha District \|JVP \|NPP \|716,715 \|{{yes2\|Elected}}

References

External links

[https://www.parliament.lk/en/component/members/viewMember/205?Itemid=206 Parliament profile]

Category:Government ministers of Sri Lanka

Category:Ministers of foreign affairs of Sri Lanka

Category:Living people

Category:Members of the 11th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Members of the 12th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Members of the 13th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Members of the 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Members of the 15th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Members of the 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Members of the 17th Parliament of Sri Lanka

Category:Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna politicians

Category:National People's Power politicians

Category:United People's Freedom Alliance politicians

Category:1968 births

Category:Sri Lankan Marxists