Confusion over Defence portfolio

Unclear whether President or Prime Minister holds Defence Minister post as new Cabinet is sworn in

The President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s appointment of a 15-member Cabinet yesterday created confusion over who holds the important Defence portfolio. 

Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, the list of names and portfolios given to each minister were released in which Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was named Defence Minister.

However this was retracted shortly and it was announced that the Prime Minister has been give the portfolios of Finance, Economic and Policy Planning, Buddha Sasana, Cultural Affairs, Religious Affairs, Urban Development, Water Supply, and Housing but not Defence.

In the list of newly-appointed Cabinet Minister released by the President‘s Media Division (PMD) too, the Defence portfolio is not assigned to anyone.

The confusion over the Defence Ministry portfolio has arisen in the light of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which bars the President from holding any ministerial portfolios.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, under whose tenure the constitutional amendment was introduced, was allowed by law to assign for himself the subjects and functions of Defence, Mahaweli Development and Environment. However, this would not apply to the person elected to office after him.

The President remains the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and has the power to declare war and peace.