Criterion to be developed for appointments

• President insists on more than 30 state ministers whereas Prime Minister is for less than that number 
• Those who served in the previous Cabinet but not included in the present Cabinet are expected to be appointed 

By Kelum Bandara

  
The appointment of state ministers is likely to be delayed over disagreements on the number of portfolios to be assigned , Daily Mirror learns .   Daily Mirror learns that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa insists on the appointment of more than 30 state ministers whereas Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is for less than that number .

Besides,there are 40 MPs across the political divide clamoring for state ministry portfolios.  In a bid to break the stalemate triggered over these aspects , the government has decided to work out a criterion for it .   It is learnt that the appointment of them is likely to take place towards the middle of this week or later .  Those who served in the previous Cabinet but not included in the present Cabinet are expected to get state ministry posts.