President Maithripala Sirisena stirred up a hornet's nest yesterday when he changed the Secretaries of social ministries without consulting line ministers.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Recourses, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Urban Planning and Water Supply, the Ministry of Law and Order, the Ministry of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Special Assignments have got new Secretaries. 

Informed government sources said the line ministers were disappointed and dissatisfied with the President's conduct. Among them are some influential Cabinet Ministers representing the SLFP. 

However, the circumstances leading to the 'reshuffle' of ministry secretaries are still not clear. Sources close to the President said it was aimed at making the state machinery more efficient.

It is learnt that the issue will be raised by the disgruntled Ministers at the next Cabinet meeting .