UNP Demands Police And Media Ministry: Appointment Of New Cabinet Delayed Over Prevailing Tug Of War On Ministries

December 19, 2018

The UNP has informed President Maithripala Sirisena that it is not willing to place the Police Department and the Ministry of Law and Order under President Maithripala Sirisena. 

The appointment of the new Cabinet has now arrived at a deadlock with the President demanding the Police Department and the Ministry of Media. 

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told the media that the UNP under no circumstances would agree to give the Police Department and the Media Ministry to the President. 

Due to the prevailing tug of war, the appointment of a new Cabinet has been delayed. 

Sirisena has also opposed giving a ministerial portfolio to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Asian Mirror learns. 

Sirisena has resisted Fonseka's appointment on the grounds that the latter severely criticized the President's conduct after the outbreak of the political crisis. 

Fonseka's name was included in the list of 30 names sent by the UNP to the President to be appointed as Cabinet ministers. 

The UNP has reportedly refused to back down on Fonseka's appointment as he is a front-line member of the UNP.