President Maithripala Sirisena who vowed a ‘scientific’ reshuffling of the cabinet along with a rationalization of portfolios swore in 18 ministers this morning at the Presidential Secretariat.
Accordingly, former Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe who was forced to resign last August now gets the Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry. Kabir Hashim who was recently made Chairman of the United National Party (UNP) and held the Higher Education portfolio, was sworn in as the Minister of Highways and Road Development.
Wijeyadasa famously said that he would be ashamed to remain in such a cabinet when he was sacked last year.
Meanwhile Mahinda Amaraweera (UPFA General Secretary of the SLFP-led United People’s Freedom Alliance) was sworn in as the Ministry of Agriculture while the SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake who earlier held that portfolio was appointed as the Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management.
In other ‘scientific’ appoinments, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka (UNP) was made the Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development.
This was the second Cabinet reshuffle that took place within the first four months of the year. Also, four acting Cabinet Ministers were sworn in on April 12 following the resignation of six SLFP Cabinet Ministers.
The President’s Media Division said that apart from these 18 appointments other ministers in the cabinet will continue to function in their respective portfolios, while the reshuffle of State Ministers and Deputy Ministers will be announced tomorrow morning (May 2).
01 Lakshman Kiriella – Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development
02 Sarath Amunugama – Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training, and Hill Country Heritage
03 S. B Navinna – Minister of Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development
04 Mahinda Amaraweera – Minister of Agriculture
05 Duminda Dissanayake – Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management
06 P. Harrison – Minister of Social Empowerment
07 Kabir Hashim – Minister of Highways and Road Development
08 Ranjith Maddumabandara – Minister of Public Administration and Management, Minister of Law and Order
09 Thalatha Athukorala – Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms
10 Faiszer Musthapha – Minister of Sports, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government
11 Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa – Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy
12 D.M. Swaminathan – Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement, Northern Development and Hindu Religious Affairs
13 Sagala Ratnayake – Minister of Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development
14 Mano Ganesan – Minister of National Co-existence, Reconciliation and Official Languages
15 Daya Gamage – Minister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries
16 Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka – Minister of Sustainable Development , Wildlife and Regional Development
17 Ravindra Samaraweera – Minister of Labour and Trade Union Relations
18 Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe – Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs
Harischandra / May 1, 2018
What more can you expect from a man like Wijedasa? But is RW not ashamed either, to re-appointed a man who severely criticized him after being sacked. Wasn’t Wijedasa behind the no-confidence motion in a big way? Both are shameless.
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Gobba / May 1, 2018
Politicians have absolutely no Shame, principles or policies. To get power they will be willing even to do anything.
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Ben Hurling / May 1, 2018
Oh, Sirisena! What have you become? Where will you hide after 2020? Haven help SL get rid of these poisonous parasites from SLFP & UNP, sucking the blood out of our country for 70 years now. Soon there will be nothing left. Oh, what a TRAGEDY!
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Native Vedda / May 1, 2018
Ben Hurling
–
How are you?
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Ben Hurling / May 2, 2018
Native,
Feeling suicidal.
Cheers!
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Native Vedda / May 2, 2018
Ben Hurling
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You ought to know committing suicide is still illegal in this island.
Please don’t get caught.
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Champa / May 1, 2018
I vehemently oppose for not changing the Buddha Sasana Minister. What happened? Did the President compromise to keep Ravi K away at the expense of the Buddha Sasana portfolio?
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I am glad SF getting the Wildlife portfolio. A tough man is really necessary to keep illegal poachers, hunters and safari jeep drivers away from destroying the wildlife sanctuary, especially Yala. They all should be disciplined.
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Robin Hood / May 1, 2018
When foolish people vote for corrupted candidates, what new things or changes do you expect? Very sadly, there is only one female minister; is Sri Lanka facing shortage of women?
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Sarrij / May 3, 2018
RH
The leaders have scientific degrees in MONKEY SCIENCE, thus the need for this scientific cabinet of ministers.
How can you argue with these monkeys? You get what you voted for; isn’t that common sense?
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Sinhala_Man / May 1, 2018
Disgusting! The country was wanting Sarath Fonseka for Law and Order – which may not be a Cabinet prtfolio, after all. Does it come under the Minister of Justice at Cabinet level? Ah, no that is still ” 08 Ranjith Maddumabandara”
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With tomorrow’s additions, it’s again going to be a huge cabinet again.
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As for Wijedasa Rajapaksa, he may have supporters in certain places, but not any more among supporters of the government. Well, I belonged to that category, but not any more. Yahapalanaya has become a joke..
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I shudder to think what will happen in 2020. We certainly will never vote for the Rajapaksas.
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The time is ripe for another party to be launched.
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Thappu / May 1, 2018
Sinhala_Man, I agree that the time is ripe for another party to be launched, but from where do you get the men. The country is corrupt to the core. If you are not corrupt you don’t want to be in politics! Here we go round the Mulberry bush!!
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Muhandiram / May 1, 2018
Cabinet Reshuffle or ‘Scientific’ Musical Chair??
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Gune / May 1, 2018
If the UNP is interested in having even a slim chance in winning the next election , they should distance themselves from the President immediately.
Honestly, I have no idea what the PM is thinking now or is he thinking at all???
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Kalu Nangi / May 1, 2018
You are absolutely right!
The more UNP is involved with this President, the more likely they are to lose the next General Election as well as the Presidential Election.
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Dr. Dharshana W / May 1, 2018
Well, who cares what portfolio that each of these people hold!
When the general public lose faith in these politicians, what portfolio they hold bears little impact on the common man.
Rail W, and My3pala are living hallucinated lives as Exec President and the Prime Minister, and both have lost touch of the ground situation.
The likes of Sajith P, Ajith P, Navin D and others should give a heads-up on whats happening at community level, and even take charge now or perish for ever.
I as an ardent UNPer having been in the “think tank”of the UNP back in the day when the UNP was loosing elections, and lost faith after falling out with Ranil W, still believe that the UNP has some light at the end of the tunnel, if there is a radical change in the UNP hierarchy, and then new leadership to redefine the Governing strategy and market it to the common man.
That and that is the only way that the UNP can come out of this mess-of-a-situation that they themselves have dug into.
Let the Lord be praised, and Lord Buddha looik upon those who have sinned,
Best Regards,
Dharshana W, Ph.D.
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Lasith / May 1, 2018
Field Martial SF continues to get the run around.
What a shame, everyone seems to be scared of him! There must be a reason!!!
Scientific or otherwise I am sure SF would have been able to sanitize the system,
had he been given the Justice portfolio.
To build a country you need Justice and sanity most of all.
People continue to loose faith on the government everyday and are practically driven
to the waiting hands of the Pohottuwa devils.
Why can’t Sri Lankan leaders do what is right for once.
At this rate I am afraid there will be a Sri Lankan Spring and the masses will sweep all the
politicos out onto the streets and start afresh.
Maybe it is time for all races, religions, casts and creeds to unite and think for the common good.
Lasith.
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hancho pancha / May 1, 2018
It is high time to start grooming Field Martial SF for 2020.
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Paul / May 2, 2018
SF is Yahapalanaya’s GR, what choice is there?
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Pygmalion / May 1, 2018
On May Day WIjeyadasa Rajapaksa has had a SSS- Shit, Shave and Shampoo!
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justice / May 1, 2018
This appears to be like shuffling a pack of cards.
Whatever they do, the country has to first get rid of the heavy debt burden.
For this to happen, expenditure has to be trimmed, waste identified and minimised, corruption and opportunities for corruption identified and eliminated.
No new ‘projects’ involving massive expenditure – limit to be set – should be commenced.
There has to be discipline in public life. Those who appear to live beyond means should be identified and ordered to show source of their wealth.
If they are unable to do so, court cases should be filed against them for corruption.
This happens in many democracies now.
Else, Sri Lanka will end up like Greece, Zimbabwe and similar countries.
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Burt / May 1, 2018
Sillysena the biyia of Pollanuruwa scientifically protects the Rajapaksa’s and the thieves of the last govt while royally screwing education.
SF given the portfolio to keep an eye on wild elephants but do no harm to the Rajapaksa or attempt to close the major files.
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hancho pancha / May 1, 2018
The President got the presidency like a child birth by FL burst.
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hancho pancha / May 1, 2018
Gods must have been listening to the prayers of Nissanka Senadhipathi to get his valet Wijedasa (Dealdasa) back into the Cabinet.
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K.Pillai / May 1, 2018
“Cabinet Partially Shuffled”? Yes but “Scientifically”? No no no. The only ‘Science’ here is absence (?) of astrologers and the Thondaman Devil-Trans-Oracle from TN!
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Thondamany / May 1, 2018
Lasith, evry one is scared of th Field marshall BECAUSE he behaves like a loose cannon.
Dr. Darshana.W PhD…. Its a disgrace to you r intellectual knowledge to hang onto RANIL’s UNP and have hope as well. Stupid talk. Hide your qualifications.
You are now acting like the other PhD guy Harsha.
What better post for the Kalavedda the back door entry, rejected by the people other than forest Conservation.
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Lasith / May 1, 2018
Thondamany
Perhaps it takes a loose cannon to sanitize a situation such as ours.
They say you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet!
People not voting for SF doesn’t make him useless, after all the so called elite in Colombo also voted for a mutt like Buruwansa! You get my point.
I can only imagine the stupidity of Sri Lankans when it comes to choosing leaders.
Voters are equally guilty of not being disciplined and sensible.
Average Sri Lankan seems to use the ear to decide on everything leaving the brain aside, when it comes to politics. I think in the sub-conscious minds of most people, they seem to prefer the chaos rather than sanity and fair play, hence the situation.
SF is a guy with a backbone, which is what none of the other so called politicians seems to have.
If SF could command the Army and end the War, yet the so called loose cannon was not accused of war crimes by the Tamil people. Yes they voted for him over MR. He may not be as bad as you may think, unless you have things to hide.
This is child’s play to SF. Give him the chance and watch. You will be surprised. You will know this sub consciously i can bet!
Lasith
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Plato. / May 1, 2018
The President got the Presidency on a Plate of Hoppers.
In world History this is a first. Very unlikely anyone else could beat this, even in the next couple of centuries. Did he have those hoppers with a Katta Sambol and or with Kollikuttu.? Historians, need to go into this!
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clean slate / May 1, 2018
I see nothing wrong in SF being given something to do with the wilds. But limiting it to wildlife attracted the derision of JO. This ought to have been foreseen. ‘Wilds and Streams’ would have been more appropriate with powers to overlook destroyers of forests and also sandminers. These two must be handled by someone whose toughness is known. If these two can be effectively handled Regional Development’ will be automatic. And environment will be the better for it. It’s still not too late. When functions are allocated this must be had in mind. A field marshal being given charge of wildlife is not at all scientific and it will play adversely on the minds of the armed forces too.
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Prem / May 1, 2018
Ranil is a real fool to have brought wijeyadasa fellow back. Snail does not learn. He has some sort of learning disability . Poor chap. God save Lanka (if you can)
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Burt / May 1, 2018
God save Lanka indeed. Can anyone expect anything to be different from the last two years with the crap that has been served out>
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Muhandiram / May 1, 2018
Sports Ministry for Faizer Mustapaha is the most ‘Scientific’ choice. He is very good at playing Games, isn’t he?
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Jim softy / May 1, 2018
So what will happen, IS it now 118 ministers and will there will be other state ministers and deputy ministers appointed a few at a time ?. Will it go to 122 ministers total ?
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Burt / May 1, 2018
What is scientific in this crap with a federal govt giving pieces of regions to different ministers?
Lakshman Kiriella – Kandy Development
Sarath Amunugama – Hill Country Heritage
S. B Navinna – Wayamba Development
Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa – Rural Economy
D.M. Swaminathan – Northern Development
Sagala Ratnayake – Southern Development
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka – Regional Development
So why the Fk do we have Provincial, Local governments and also Gramasevekas?
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Hela / May 2, 2018
Burt, this is the science of gramasevaka……………..and of course the brilliant mind of Ranil W.
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Shrikharan / May 2, 2018
Same old wine in a new bottle
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K.Pillai / May 2, 2018
Can one shuffle a pack of cards ‘scientifically’? Casino operators like the answer.
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chiv / May 2, 2018
If this is science then what is science ????
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Steve / May 2, 2018
Scientifically selected ? Maybe a computer program was used to select at Random.
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Mallaiyuran / May 2, 2018
Ravi didn’t get anything because he was one of the “code breakers” in the Russian Junkyard Warship deal by New Royals. (If Emil comes back then Ranil will be going in. That is highly impossible. So Ravi will not be guilty ever. No reason for hold him out, without charging a case against him in the court. If this was done to one Old Royal Member, Supreme Court would have awarded a million dollar compensation.)
Earlier Deal Dasa was pushed out of Cabinet by UNP back benchers in the parliament. So New King let Deal to get the deal.
Everybody knows why Ponny was discarded.
New King is wielding the power or swinging his Thirukkai Waal same way Old Royals did; only difference, probably and so far less murders.
With this much hate between the two parties, they are making another Unity Agreement, only to keep ministerial position to suck as much as possible before they are put away. Last three years the Unity Government did not do anything because of this friction. The biggest fall back is, it did not exhaust the opportunities to Constitutional Change, it is for that purposes the International Governments got involved to put together this Unity Yahapalanaya.
I wonder if there a way to JVP or somebody else who opposes this fraudulent union, to sue at Supreme Court and delayed void, in the interest of Public. Or somebody has to have the Ministerial numbers in the 19A declared void or illegal because it is detrimental for public well Bing.
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Rajash / May 4, 2018
what is missing is “Minister for US Visa application process management “
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Sherantha / May 6, 2018
Fucking Comedy! how may reshuffles happened in this Gona and his Gavapalane… but the land in shambles…SMH
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Percy / May 9, 2018
The name of Sirisena’s New found science is “ political survival”! The man takes the people of Sri Lanka to be rustic illiterates often found in his village.
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