Speculation is rife that Highways and Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella is likely to be appointed as the Justice Minister at the next Cabinet reshuffle. 

Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who currently holds the position as the Justice Minister, is likely to be given the Higher Education Ministry. 

Highly placed government sources confirmed that the Cabinet reshuffle would happen within the next few days. However, they added some 'new arrangements' might be changed at the last moment.

It was reported earlier this week that President Maithripala Sirisena had agreed not to interfere with the Cabinet positions held by the UNP, at the unity government's first cabinet reshuffle. 

He has, however, asked Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to make final decisions on changing the portfolios held by ministers representing the UNP, informed political sources said.  

The discussion between the President and the Prime Minister took place before the former left for Russia last week. 

Both parties had also agreed to maintain the 'composition' of the current cabinet and not to change the UNP:SLFP ratio.