Cabinet will not increase after 20A is passed

• Cabinet to remain in its present number  
• No decision for Basil to enter Parliament immediately  
• MR may seek retirement in 2 years  

By JAMILA HUSAIN  

Despite the 20th amendment removing the clause of limiting the cabinet of ministers to 30, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will not expand the current cabinet by appointing more ministers once the new amendment is passed in Parliament, the Daily Mirror learns.  

Rumours were rife that more SLFP MPs may receive cabinet portfolios along with a few more SLPP MPs once the 20th amendment receives the nod from Parliament, but a senior cabinet minister said that cabinet would be limited in its current number of 26 ministers.   

No new state ministers too will be appointed.  

“Despite the clause of limiting the cabinet to 30 being removed, the President has no plans to appoint more ministers once the 20th amendment is passed. The ministers and state ministers presently appointed, cover all the areas that need work and implementation. There are no plans to create any further ministries,” the source said.  
The Daily Mirror further learns that despite reports that Basil Rajapaksa may enter Parliament once the 20th amendment is passed as it removes the ban on dual citizens from taking Parliamentary seats, there are no immediate plans for him to enter Parliament as yet. However it is likely that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa may not complete his full term in office and may seek retirement in 2 years and if this happens, it is likely that another Rajapaksa brother may be appointed to the post.