Crisis again: signs of full cabinet sworn in ... being delayed

Crisis again: signs of full cabinet sworn in ... being delayed

Though some solution bringing stability to the country was apparent with crises being over in relation to judgements of the executive through swearing in last Sunday with Ranil Wickremasigha being appointed as Prime Minister, because President Maithri not being able to come into an agreement with UNP, a hint of crisis is on the horizon and swearing in ceremony of ministers seem to be delayed.

Though it was announced that at first it was Monday (17) and later it was last morning (18) that swearing in would take place; but even by this morning (19) there does not seem to be any signs of

such a preparation, it is reported. It has been the idea of the UNP that in order to prevent state ministries being dormant anymore amidst these problems, a part of the cabinet should be sworn in this evening or tomorrow (20) morning. However, no final agreement has been reached on the part of the Presidential sector as such. What a spokesman of the UNP has told media was that 20 will be taking their oaths today or tomorrow and that the rest of the other 10 will be sworn in on Friday. But even this evening the swearing in ceremony of the cabinet is still in suspense, political sources say.

The list of names of members of parliament who are to be appointed as ministers of the new government was sent to President Mr. Maithripala Sirisena last afternoon (18) and unofficial reports say that Sarath Fonseka will be given a cabinet portfolio, Rajitha Senaratna the ministry of health, and Ravi Karunanayaka the finance ministry, all of which matters were opposed by the President. In the same way, what was reported earlier was that the portfolio for law and order and media would be kept under the President. Political sources have reported that under the understanding that the UNP would make an influence on the police

it was thought of keeping law and order under his belt and also to prevent UNP from extracting benefits through the media in future elections it was hoped to retain the subject of media. The UNP has not agreed for it.

In the meantime, it was decided at the UNP meeting that Malik Samarawickrema, Mano Ganeshan and Rishard Badiudeen have resolved to refrain from ministerial positions. It was the belief of Sajith, Harsha and Naveen that the new cabinet should be composed of qualitative members to pivot it to a high state of existence and as there is no risk of a majority power, there is no necessity to satisfy each and everyone by bestowing ministerial portfolios.

Whatever it is, it was the idea of the President that by working with the strength of the SLFP within the cabinet would turn out to be a gain for him. As such, he has mentioned that if Duminda Dissanaika and the group desires to give support to UNP he has no objection. However, the President has reversed this decision.

Though the President released orders preventing the 21 SLFPers to give support to UNP, even after that some had provided support to UNP by joining with them yesterday and as it was learned by President that face to face discussions have taken place even by now with Mangala and Malik, the President has been gripped in a crisis of safeguarding his faction and has vehemently said that he will not give any ministerial portfolios to any SLFPers.

(Prior to this, when Chandrika was President and Ranil was Prime Minister, she has had to hand over ministerial posts to S.B. she had bestowed the appointment by looking asid). Under these circumstances the swearing in ceremony of the whole cabinet has delayed for a few days.