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Monday, 28 January 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Dharisha Bastians
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is set to realign his Cabinet today, with a reshuffling of key portfolios that analysts say is likely to distinguish achievers from below-average performers holding ministerial portfolios in the ruling administration.
A new Cabinet of Ministers will be sworn in before President Mahinda Rajapaksa commencing at around 11 a.m. today.
Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake who declined to provide details about the portfolio changes in the UPFA Cabinet however told the Daily FT the oath-taking ceremony was scheduled for early afternoon today at Temple Trees.
The Cabinet reshuffle, previously expected to make monumental changes, is unlikely to cause any major ripples, but will likely increase the size of the Cabinet, informed sources told the Daily FT.
Changes are likely in the Power and Energy, Petroleum Resources, Labour, Education, Environment, Public Administration, Technology and Research and Sports portfolios. Gamini Lokuge is tipped to be the new Minister of Sports, replacing Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage. Lokuge previously held the sports portfolio from 2007-2010.
Several new deputy ministers are also expected to be appointed from among first-time MPs in Parliament. Among deputies tipped to be promoted are Duminda Dassanayake, Nirupama Rajapaksa and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena
Speculation was rife that there would be a change in the premiership, with some tipping Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to succeed incumbent D.M. Jayaratne, whilst others said there wouldn’t be a change.
The reshuffle has been on the cards since late last year, but was delayed repeatedly due to other political events, including the impeachment of the Chief Justice, overshadowing its urgency.
By and large, this is the first major Cabinet reshuffle since the Parliamentary elections of 2010, when the UPFA coalition was returned to office.
In November 2012, shortly before the Government presented its 2013 Budget, President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Senior Minister of International Monetary Cooperation Sarath Amunugama as Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, while the former Deputy Minister of Finance Geethanjana Gunewardane was appointed Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation.
The Daily FT learns that the Government is also mulling changes to its National List, following the vote on the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake earlier this month. A former Foreign Minister and an ex-judicial officer are being considered for appointment to Parliament through the UPFA National List, senior Government sources indicated last week. However, any changes to the National List will only occur if appointed MPs agree to resign to make way for new appointments, the sources said.
