President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to reshuffle his cabinet soon following disappointing reports from some of the key ministries and the failure of some ministers to perform, the Daily Mirror learns.
Political sources said that discussions of a cabinet reshuffle have been underway in recent weeks between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the ruling parties, but the only reason it is being delayed is due to the SLPP’s demand for portfolios.
Sources said that in recent meetings between the President and the SLPP led by Basil Rajapaksa, there have been requests by Rajapaksa and his camp for portfolios for some notable SLPP MPs.
The President however has maintained that portfolios will only be handed to MPs who will be able to perform amidst the existing hardships and economic crisis. Some of the key ministers that are likely to be replaced are the Health Minister and Media Minister.
In recent months, the crisis facing the Health sector has increased due to the shortage of essential medicines and supplies, especially in government hospitals, inconveniencing millions of people.
President Wickremesinghe is also looking to hand over portfolios to some opposition MPs who are already in talks with him when the reshuffle takes place.In the meantime, the SLPP has reiterated that they will continue to support President Wickremesinghe even if he fails to hand over more portfolios to its party members, as the party is most likely expected to back Wickremesinghe’s presidential candidacy in the Presidential Elections next year.