Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena on Friday clarified that the recent change to Minister Bimal Rathnayake’s portfolio was a strategic decision and not a response to recent controversies.

The minister’s portfolio was restructured to include Urban Development while removing the subjects of Ports and Civil Aviation.

Gunasena’s clarification came in response to comments from ITAK MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, who had welcomed the removal of the Ports and Civil Aviation portfolio, linking it to the recent “323 container controversy.”

Rejecting the insinuation, the Deputy Minister explained that the Urban Development portfolio is more closely aligned with the Transport Ministry’s current goals. He noted the government’s plan to establish several multi-modal transport centers across the country, stating that urban development is intrinsically linked to the success of these major infrastructure projects.

“If you think that a person like Bimal Rathnayake, who has dedicated his entire life to public service, will be discouraged by words like that, you are mistaken,” Gunasena asserted. “We won’t get discouraged. The reason for the change is that the Urban Development portfolio is more aligned with our plans than Ports and Civil Aviation.”

He added, “It would be even better if we could get the Local Government portfolio under our ministry as well, but that’s not possible.”