According to inside sources of the government, the President has not been pleased with the performance of Ratnapura district MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi as the health minister, especially for what they called her soft approach in dealing with the health sector stakeholders during the pandemic era

Colombo district MP, senior politician Dinesh Gunawardane and National List MP Prof. G.L. Peiris are the other two ministers who swapped their posts in this instance. Both sound to be happy with the change

The possible reshuffle of a few Cabinet ministers was in the air for some time. That is the sole discretion of the President of the country to decide on the appointment and change of Cabinet ministers in addition to assignment of subjects to them in accordance with powers vested with him in the constitution

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who contemplated the change for some time acted upon last Monday. In the reshuffle of ministerial portfolios, six ministers swapped their posts with each other. In addition, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa received an additional post becoming the only member in the Cabinet to hold two different subject scopes after President Rajapaksa, who is his paternal uncle and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who is his father. 

For better or for worse, this is a key decision taken by the President though some see it as just a mere change of subjects of a few ministers.

In the appointment of Matara District MP Dulles Alahapperuma as the media minister and the Cabinet spokesman, the government appears to have given mind to the need revive its publicity campaign. The government believes it is an area where the responsible authorities have underperformed.

 
That the government has been unable to counter what it believes ‘misinformation and disinformation’ against it and ensure the proper communication of information has been a generally held view in the ruling side. Dulles Alahapperuma, the journalist-cum politician, has been assigned the task now, a tough exercise by no means.

Then, the question arose what should be done to Keheliya Rambukwella who held it previously.  According to inside sources of the government, the President has not been pleased with the performance of Ratnapura district MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi as the health minister, especially for what they called her soft approach in dealing with the health sector stakeholders during the pandemic era. Keheliya Rambukwella was appointed health minister in the hope that he would make tough and firm approaches in his engagements with the sector. Ms. Wanniarachchi was appointed Transport Minister. But, she was not happy with it. And, she did not mince her words about it. She said it came as a surprise to her.  After being in the position of health minister for nearly two years, she would have better studied the sector.  Health is a key subject area for a minister to perform and deliver to his/her constituents in terms of development and improvement of hospital and healthcare facilities in the electorates concerned.  It is a development seen and felt by them, ensuring electoral dividends at polls.  Politicians across all hues eye such opportunities. Ms. Wanniarachchi would have found it difficult to cope up with the loss of health portfolio in the Cabinet reshuffle as a result. She was sworn in as the Transport Minister at the end. 

Colombo district MP, senior politician Dinesh Gunawardane and National List MP Prof. G.L. Peiris are the other two ministers who swapped their posts in this instance. Both sound to be happy with the change.  

Prof. Peiris always looked forward to be Foreign Affairs Minister. Experienced in the field as being the external affairs minister previously, he had a challenging, tough time ahead. With the adoption of the latest UNHRC resolution, Sri Lanka is under scrutiny by the international community on steps being taken by it as far as human rights and accountability issues are concerned. Prof. Peiris, as the new minister, has to give leadership to a rigorous international campaign presenting Sri Lanka’s case.

Meanwhile, there are reasons for Minister Dinesh Gunawardane to feel contended with the latest appointment as the education minister. As an elected politician, he has every reason to look for a portfolio to remain engaged with constituents. As the education minister, he will now get the opportunity to look after the interests of his electorates. Again, it is a difficult, sensitive subject area for any minister tackle these days, particularly due to the prolonged agitation by the teachers’ and principals’ trade unions. As a politician who has led workers’ struggle in his long spanning political career, he may have acumen to deal with the present problem that has crippled the entire education system.   

Main and among the latest change is the addition of a new portfolio to Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. In addition to his current portfolio, he received the Development Coordination and Subversion Ministry.  It is a subject held by Money, Capital Markets and Public Enterprises Reform State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal earlier. The project monitoring department that remained under his purview has now been brought under the purview of Namal Rajapaksa. 

The department used to supervise the development projects valued Rs. 7 trillion.  Now, Minister Namal Rajapaksa becomes all powerful in the government’s decision-making process on development work. With the new appointment, he is positioned to be associated with development of the country.

Now, the government has secured RMB 2 billion as a loan from China Development Bank.  It amounts to more than Rs. 61 billion. The government can use it for whatever purpose since the credit facility is not channelled through the Central Bank for budgetary support otherwise.  The government will disburse some of it for developmental needs. 

In the coordination and supervision of development projects, Namal Rajapaksa, the 35-year politician, will get the opportunity to boost his image, apparently in the realization of his future political goals. In fact, he will be a nodal point in this regard. 

As such, the Cabinet reshuffle is a decision that bears significance in terms of the government’s future plan.