Most ministers likely to retain previous portfolios in new Cabinet

Most of the ministers of the new Cabinet are likely to retain the previous portfolios they held in the interim government, Mirror Business learns.

Among them, Ravi Karunanayake and Mangala Samaraweera are expected to retain their respective portfolios as Finance and Foreign Ministers.

However, some sources said Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe is likely to keep the finance portfolio with him and MP Harsha de Silva will be appointed his deputy. 

In a new development, a ministry with wider powers and scope in the areas of finance, investment and trade—similar to that of Economic Development Ministry headed by Basil Rajapaksa in the previous regime— is expected to be created, political sources said.  

News reports said new Cabinet will also have District Ministers who will play a key role in development programmes. The system was originally introduced by the late President J.R.Jayewardene.

Meanwhile, certain senior Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members—such as a Nimal Siripala de Silva—who are joining with the UNP to form a national government are also tipped to get top Cabinet portfolios. 

A section of the new Cabinet representing the UNP is expected to swear-in before the President Maithripala Sirisena today.