Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday, 13 August 2020 02:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
While the President’s Office said that composition of the Cabinet has been formulated in a pragmatic and realistic manner to implement the national program in keeping with the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour policy statement, many were bemused by the choice of portfolios for some State Ministers.
Among these, the portfolio given to Shasheendra Rajapaksa making him the State Minister for Paddy and Cereals, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chilies, Onions and Potatoes, Seed Production and High-Tech Agriculture drew many public comments.
Many took to social media to discuss the new portfolios and some referred to Rajapaksa as State Minister for Grocery List.
Prasanna Ranaweera, who was involved in the chilli attack during clashes in the last Parliament, was made the State Minister of Cane, Brass, Clay Furniture and Rural Industry Promotion, which was also viewed with bemusement.
SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara was put in charge of the subjects of Batik, Handloom Fabrics and Local Apparel Products, while Puttalam District MP elect Arundika Fernando was appointed the State Minister for Coconut, Fishtail Palm, Palmyra, and Rubber product Promotion.
Janaka Wakkumbura was named the State Minister for Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production and Promotion of Allied Products and Export while D. B. Herath was appointed to be in charge of Livestock and Farm Promotion and Dairy and Eggs Related Industries.
Wimalaweera Dissanayake was appointed State Minister for Wildlife Conservation Protection Programs including Electric Fence and Ditch Construction, Re-Forestation and Wildlife Resources Development while Kanchana Wijesekera was made State Minister for Ornamental Fish, Freshwater Fish and Shrimp Farming Development, Multi-day Fishing and Fish Export.
Former MP Mangala Samaraweera took to Twitter to call the “subjects of state ministers are hilarious”.
