Colombo, Jumada II 2, 1436, Mar 22, 2015, SPA -- Sri Lanka Sunday formed a national unity government that saw opposition parliamentary members taking up positions as ministers. According to dpa, President Maithripala Sirisena used his executive powers to appoint 11 new cabinet ministers and 15 other deputies from the main opposition United People's Freedom Alliance. The move comes ahead of a parliamentary election later this year. With the appointments, the number of ministers in the cabinet now goes up to 39, out of a 225-seat parliament. "The move will enable better cooperation between the ruling party and the main opposition in parliament until elections are held," cabinet minister Rajitha Senaratne said. --SPA 18:31 LOCAL TIME 15:31 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w