Prime Minister Now Attempts To Appoint Two More Ministers In Addition To 30-Member Cabinet That Took Oaths On Thursday

December 23, 2018

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is attempting to appoint two more Cabinet ministers, in addition to the 30-member Cabinet who took oaths on Thursday. 

Wickremesinghe, in an interview with a weekly newspaper, has argued that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution allows a 30-member Cabinet, apart from the President and the Prime Minister. 

It is still not clear as to who will receive the two additional portfolios. Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara, who were rejected initially by the President for Cabinet portfolios, still remain key contenders. 

However, any expansion of the Cabinet can only be done through a consensus between the President and the Prime Minister. 

Meanwhile, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Friday, blamed Wickremesinghe for violating the Constitution by nominating 35 MPs for Cabinet posts. 

Dissanayake, speaking in Parliament, said the 19th Amendment is crystal clear on the number of Cabinet members (30) when a single party forms a government.