New Justice Minister ... Thalatha and Minister of Buddha Sasana ... Ravindra, sworn in today

New Justice Minister ... Thalatha and Minister of Buddha Sasana ... Ravindra, sworn in today

Mrs. Thalatha Athukorala as the new Justice Minister and Mr. Ravindra Samaraweera are to take their oaths on Wednesday 23rd in the presence of the President. As such, a gazette notification is expected to be released ousting Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa who held both those positions and as a result he inevitably has to forego those positions.

After some sensational incidents , Wijedasa Rajapaksa has not turned up for the cabinet meeting held

yesterday (22) or the UNP leaders' meeting held day-before-yesterdat (21). Though the UNP has requested him to quit those two positions, he did not do so  saying that he is free from guilt. In the meantime inside sources say that there was an arrangement by the United Opposition to keep Wijedasa in that position for some time and to bring him forward as the Common Prime Minister of the United Opposition.

Mrs. Thalatha Athukorala would be bestowed the position of Justice Minister in addition to her present position as Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion while Mr. Ravindra Samaraweera would be given the position of Minister of Buddha Sasana in addition to his position of Labour State Minister. In order to make aware of the change of Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa's position and to discuss matters about the future , it is expected to meet President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena today. Whether Mr. Wijedasa Rajapaksa would switch over to the SLFP, to the United Opposition or become Independent ... has still not been reported.