Navin says Cabinet can go up to 35

Friday, 21 December 2018 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Hints crossover SLFP members likely to get ministerial portfolios
Says committed to restructuring UNP within four months with young members

By Charumini de Silva

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake yesterday said the Government hoped to increase the number of Cabinet Ministers to 35 in the near future.

“After the discussion we had with President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday night, we are hopeful that he will consider giving ministerial posts to UNP MPs Range Bandara and Sarath Fonseka. In addition, we made representations for those Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SFLP) MPs who made a huge sacrifice during the constitutional crisis and crossed over to get ministerial positions,” the Minister told journalists in Colombo yesterday.

According to the Minister, SLFP MPs A.H.M. Fowzie, Piyasena Gamage, Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa, Lakshman Seneviratne and Indika Bandaranaike who crossed over recently are likely to get ministerial portfolios in the near future.

“There is no restriction in going for a 35-member Cabinet. Some of the SLFP MPs names were included in the list that we submitted to the President but he refused to appoint them. We will fight for it,” he added.

Dissanayake, who is also the National Organiser of the United National Party (UNP), acknowledged that there was a clear need for attitudinal and structural change within the party.

“We hope to restructure the UNP within the next four months. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, myself and other young members of the party are committed to bringing about a change that is best for the UNP and for all our voters,” he assured.