:The cabinet reshuffle which Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena effected on Tuesday, shows a rational distribution of portfolios which was not the case earlier. For example, Mano Ganeshan, who had National Co-existence but not Reconciliation earlier, has got it now.<\/p>\n
But there has been no major change in the line up, other than the re-induction of Wijedasa Rajapakse, the former Justice Minister who had resigned under controversial circumstances.<\/p>\n
Earlier, the distribution of portfolios did not form a definite pattern, which confused ministers, officials, the public as well as foreign embassies and investors. Ministers felt helpless with some of their functions being handled by other ministries.<\/p>\n
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Having promised to make a \u201cscientific\u201d reshuffle, the President gave \u201cReconciliation\u201d to Mano Ganeshan who earlier had \u201cNational Co-Existence, Dialogue and Official Languages\u201d but not \u201cReconcilation\u201d which is a criticial portfolio in the context of the need to bring the minority Tamils and the majority Sinhalse together after a 30 year war.<\/p>\n
The war ended in 2009, but ethnic reconciliation is still a far cry.<\/p>\n
Previously, the Reconciliation portfolio was held by President Maithripala Sirisna and his second in command was AHM Fowzie, a senior minister but not a Tamil.<\/p>\n
Srimilarly, the has rationalized the distribution of other portfolios.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Wijedasa Rajapakse,former Justice Minister, has been brought back into the cabinet as Minister of Higher Education and Culture. Earlier, he had to resign because of his controversial remarks.<\/p>\n
Eighteen new Cabinet Ministers were sworn in on Tuesday. Following are the Ministers and their portfolios:<\/p>\n
1. Lakshman Kiriella \u2013 Minister of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development<\/p>\n
2. Sarath Amunugama- Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Skills Development and Vocational Training, and Hill Country Heritage<\/p>\n
3. S. B. Navinna-Minister of Internal Affairs and Wayamba Development<\/p>\n
4. Mahinda Amaraweera: Minister of Agriculture<\/p>\n
5. Duminda Dissanayake: Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources Management and Disaster Management<\/p>\n
6 Hon. Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa: Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development and Rural Economy<\/p>\n
7.Hon. P. Harrison: Minister of Social Empowerment<\/p>\n
8. Kabir Hashim: Minister of Highways and Road Development<\/p>\n
9. Ranjith Maddumabandara: Minister of Public Administration and Management and Law and Order<\/p>\n
10. Thalatha Athukorala: Minister of Justice and Prison Reforms.<\/p>\n
11. Faiszer Musthapha: Minister of Sports, Provincial Councils and Local Government<\/p>\n
12. D.M. Swaminathan: Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement, Northern Development and Hindu Religious Affairs<\/p>\n
13. Sagala Ratnayake: Minister of Project Management, Youth Affairs and Southern Development<\/p>\n
14. Mano Ganesan: Minister of National Co-existence, Reconciliation and Official Languages<\/p>\n
15. Daya Gamage: Minister of Social Welfare and Primary Industries<\/p>\n
16. Field Marshal Hon. Sarath Fonseka \u2013 Minister of Sustainable Development, Wildlife and Regional Development<\/p>\n
17. Ravindra Samaraweera: Minister of Labor and Trade Union Relations<\/p>\n
18. Wijedasa Rajapakshe \u2013 Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs<\/p>\n
Other ministerial portfolios will remain unchanged and the new State and Deputy Ministers will be sworn on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Courtesy:NewsIn.Asia<\/em><\/p>\n