Govt. to appoint more non-Cabinet and state ministers

The government is expected to make changes to the Cabinet by appointing a few more non- Cabinet and state ministers.

Currently, the Cabinet comprises 30 members including President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with many of them holding more than one portfolio.

The government has held discussions to reduce the number of portfolios held by some ministers and assign them to four SLFP MPs who have joined the government. The MPs are Lakshman Seneviratne, A.H.M. Fowzie, Piyasena Gamage and Gamini Wijith Wijeyamuni Zoya, who will be sworn in as either state or non-Cabinet ministers. According to reports the Disaster Management Ministry which is presently held by Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara is to be assigned to Mr. Fowzie.

Minister Bandara who is also the Minister of Public Administration will be assigned the Ministry of Rural Economy which is currently held by Agriculture Minister P. Harrison.

In addition to the four SLFP Ministers, UNP MPs Palitha Range Bandara, Sarath Fonseka and Wasantha Senanayake will also be assigned portfolios. (Kelum Bandara)