Colombo: President Chandrika Kumaratunga today (April 5, 2004) named party stalwart Mahinda Rajapakse, 58, as the country's new Prime Minister, sources close to her office said today.

He is likely to take oath tomorrow.

Kumaratunga had earlier delayed naming a new Premier to form a minority Government as opposition mounted for her first choice for the top job, they said.