Three seniors did not want portfolios, but eventually got them

For most Sinhala cinemagoers, the attraction remains a formula film – with scenes of fighting, comedy, songs and a happy ending. One is not sure whether the same phenomenon has entered the political spectrum. It was the United National Front ( UNF) parliamentary group meeting this week chaired by Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. In the absence of a “national government,” he was explaining the difficulties of having an expanded cabinet.

The 19th Amendment to the Constitution forbade it, unless there was a “national government.” On such occasions, through a motion in Parliament, the numbers could have been expanded. Hence, Wickremesinghe declared that former Ministers who wished not to have portfolios should volunteer and make public their views.

Rishad Bathiuddin, leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), was quick to respond. Mr. Bathiuddin, who is vying with his rival Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem to become the sole political leader of the Muslim community, rose to say he did not want a ministry. There were two others too, Malik Samarawickrema and Mano Ganesan.

Eran Wickremeratne, a former State Minister for Finance rose immediately to say leaders of minority parties should not be ignored because of the contribution they had made to the UNF.

But all three persons, who did not wish to be ministers, were sworn in on Thursday morning. Naturally, there were those who wished for portfolios, particularly those who crossed over from the SLFP. But they were disappointed.

The swearing in ceremony itself had some interesting moments. Some ministers did not know where to sign the letter of acceptance. One of them handed back to President Sirisena not only the signed letter but also the table pad which he used to sign the letter. Another opened his pen, put it in his pocket and fumbled with only the cap in hand.