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Top SLFP ministers may join Sirisena Cabinet
Some ministers who served under former president Mahinda Rajapaksa are likely to be appointed to the new Cabinet being formed by President Maithripala Sirisena. The move, due anytime in the coming week is to form the basis of a National Government that would implement the 100 day programme — the new President’s manifesto for last Thursday’s presidential polls.
Among the names being mentioned are Sri Lanka Freedom Party stalwarts Nimal Siripala de Silva, the party’s new General Secretary Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and the United People’s Freedom Alliance General Secretary Susil Premajayantha.
At a news conference yesterday at the SLFP headquarters, both Mr. de Silva and Mr. Premajayantha expressed their support for the 100-day programme, particularly the high priority amendments to the Constitution to prune the powers of the Executive President. They, however, made no comment of the likelihood of their being in the new Cabinet.
The proposed national unity Government under President Sirisena, with UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister, will function for a period agreed upon by the partners of the New Democratic Front. It could be from two to five years, a source said.
President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe held a two-hour discussion yesterday on the formation of the new Cabinet. The need to include former Cabinet members has remained a subject of discussion among UPFA partners in the NDF coalition.
The far-reaching move has a number of ramifications. The inclusion of the three SLFP seniors from the former government would effectively mean that the SLFP will come under President Sirisena. In terms of the SLFP constitution, if the President of the country is from the same party, he or she would automatically be the leader of the party. That will, no doubt, see former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga regain control of the SLFP. She is the main figure responsible for Mr. Sirisena becoming the Opposition’s Presidential candidate. If the move materialises, the NDF feels it will be able to obtain majority support for its government in Parliament. That would not only see the expeditious passage of Constitutional amendments with a two thirds majority but also ensure the passage of the Right to Information Act that is to be introduced in Parliament next month.
Today, President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe will call on the Mahanayakes of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters. They will also visit the Dalada Maligawa. President Sirisena is to address the nation from the historic Octagon Paththirippuwa at 2 p.m. today.