It has now been revealed that President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to "take over" State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena's powers was a  move to manage disgruntled MPs of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party over the Prime Minister's inaction on Minister John Amaratunga. 

Although Amaratunga was accused of failing to prevent attack on the Chairman of Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha, no action has been taken by the Prime Minister to seek explanation from the Senior Minister on the matter. In fact, the Wattala PS Chairman, who represents the UPFA, came under attack just minutes after Amaratunga left the PS premises. 

Even though the opposition presented a no confidence motion against the Public Order Minister, the process was delayed after the Prime Minister threatened to dissolve Parliament in the face of a defeat. 

However, in an unexpected turn of events, President Sirisena, employing the powers of Executive Presidency, made a sudden decision to 'take over' several institutions that came under the purview of Wijewardena's ministry. 

Wijewardena has been left with four marginal institutions, the Rana Viru Seva Authority, the Defence Services College, Defence Services Command and Staff College and the National Cadet Corp. Sources said that his office would also be move out of the Defence Ministry premises at Colombo Fort. 

Many political analysts have viewed this move as a potential flashpoint between President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe as Wijewardena is the cousin of the Prime Minister.