Lanka cabinet reshuffle on the cards

After months of speculation, Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa is said to be readying for the much awaited cabinet reshuffle on Monday 28.

Political sources also said that the Board of Investment (BoI), the key state mechanism tasked with promotion of foreign investment, is to be direcrly brought under the President as part of coming changes. Currently the BoI functions under Basil Rajapaksa, the Minister of Economic Development.

It is also reliably learnt that a new Prime Minister, replacing the incumbent , would be appointed. Though Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa's name is widely speculated, sources added two other names are also under close scrutiny- Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management
and former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremenayake, who was in the bad books of the government some time back for his strong criticism though lately, he appeared to have changed his stance.

It is reported that in case the incumbent Prime Minister D.M.Jayaratne is replaced, it would pave way for either the former Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama or former Minister Ameer Ali, one of the two to come back to Parliament as the Parliament seat of the PM Jayaratne too is expected to fall vacant.

Political sources close to ruling SLFP party indicated that Portfolios of Power and Energy (Minister Champika Ranawaka), Sports (Mahindananda Aluthgamage), Labour (Gamini Lokuge), and Technology & Research (Mrs Pavithra Vanniarachchi) are already scheduled for change while several "other ministries" that lately created a problematic or negative image for the Government too are likely to be changed but identities of these Miniatries are as yet unclear. These ‘problematic Ministries’ for reshuffle are to be decided by the President on Sunday 27, it is learnt.

Also Asian Tribune learnt that Media Minister might be changed as Minister for Investment Promotion or else as Minister for Foreign Employment.

Lately, the Ministers of Education as well as Health have received wide criticism due to various issues of their administration- such as the Z Score debacle for selection to local universities (Education) and lack of care in hospitals and low quality of medicine given to patients (Health).

In addition, two new Ministries are also likely to be established. Several young MPs too are to be appointed as new Deputy Ministers.

- Asian Tribune -