News
45 in Cabinet, 55 state and deputy ministers
View(s):The number of cabinet ministers in the national unity Government to be set up with the UNFGG and the SLFP as stakeholders is likely to be restricted to 45 with 55 more in non-cabinet ranks. A motion will be moved in parliament by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday under the provisions of the 19th Amendment to increase the numbers.
The Sunday Times learns the number in the Cabinet is likely to be restricted to 45 while the final numbers of state and deputy ministers could be 55 or more. Under the terms of the 19th Amendment, Parliament will determine the number of persons who will be in the Cabinet and non-Cabinet ranks when a national government is formed while the number is restricted to 30 and 40 in non-cabinet ranks if a single party forms the government.
Meanwhile, the JVP will move for an adjournment debate on Thursday to discuss the “jumbo cabinet the UNP and the SLFP intend creating,” its leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said.
The debate will be held after the motion moved by the Prime Minister is approved by the House. The Cabinet of Ministers is to be sworn in on Friday after Parliament approves the numbers for the national government.