Govt. seeks Prez’s approval to increase cabinet

• UNP believes President has softened his stand, and therefore it will be possible to secure his consent

By Kelum Bandara

The government decided to make fresh engagement with President Maithripala Sirisena seeking his approval to increase the size of the Cabinet exceeding 30, it is learnt.  

The leaders of the political parties, aligned with the government, met on Tuesday evening and discussed this matter.  

The UNP, as the main party of the government, believes that the President has softened his stand, and therefore it will be possible to secure his consent.  Earlier, the UNP worked out a motion to be presented to Parliament asking for approval to increase the Cabinet size on the basis that it has already formed a national government. The Cabinet size can be increased exceeding 30 only in respect of a national government only.  According to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the national government is a government formed between the party with the highest number of seats in Parliament with another party.