Strict guidelines for Cabinet memoranda

President Maithripala Sirisena is worried that late submission of memoranda by ministers to the Cabinet leads to serious issues.

As the Constitution stipulates, he has pointed out that the Cabinet of Ministers is collectively responsible for all decisions. Hence, he has noted that all ministers are cited as respondents, when an application challenging a decision of the Cabinet, is filed in court.

President Sirisena told the ministers, “I have observed that in certain instances where questions are raised in Parliament and at public forums, members of the Cabinet have expressed contrary views in respect of Cabinet decisions.”

According to the President, “one of the main reasons for this would be Hon. Ministers not being provided with adequate time to study Cabinet Memoranda and due to the same reason, important policy matters not being thoroughly discussed at Cabinet meetings.”

The President has said that all memoranda would have to be submitted in advance. Delayed submission under exceptional circumstances, he has said, would have to receive his approval.