Jayaratne received his appointment letter from the President yesterday at the President's Office.

Earlier President Sirisena was the SLFP national organizer and the post fell vacant following his election to Presidency.

Jayaratne, who was the former Minister of Co-operative, Trade and Food, Industries, Textiles Industries and Rural Development, Tourism and Housing of the North Central Province crossed over to the common opposition prior to the 2015 Presidential Election. After Jayaratne extended his support to common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, the former government removed him from his provincial ministerial portfolios.

Following election, Jayaratne was sworn in as the new Chief Minister before the new Governor P.B. Dissanayake of the Province.