President must appoint a more capable Cabinet, says in-out-in Media Minister
State ministers; first there were 24 then there were 27
Media Ministry had failed to create awareness among the people of progressive steps taken by the Government.
Confusion and uncertainty reign over the newly appointed cabinet, amid resignations, change of subjects and new appointments.
Newly appointed Media Minister Dr Nalaka Godahewa told the Sunday Times that he tendered his resignation on Wednesday (20), two days after he was appointed, to create greater political stability. He said the remaining memebers of the cabinet should resign and the President should appoint a more capable and acceptable cabinet that could address the multiple issues faced by the people.
“Political stability is very important as crucial decisions must be taken to resolve the crisis. However, the President did not accept my resignation and requested me to resume my post, ” he said adding that the President promised that he would be making necessary changes within the cabinet in the future.
Minister Godahewa also said the Media Ministry had failed to create awareness among the people of progressive steps taken by the Government. However, wrongs must be corrected and corruption must be stopped. Then publicity can be given to progressive steps taken and this can be used to build international trust and promote tourism, he said.
The President appointed 17 cabinet ministers on Monday (18) with no changes being made to the portfolios of Finance Minister Ali Sabry and Foreign Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris.
Twenty four state ministers were also appointed with G.L Peiris being appointed as State Minister of Defence.
Meanwhile film actress and parliamentarian Geetha Kumarasinghe was made State Minister of Cultural and Performing Arts, while Diana Gamage was made State Minister of Transport.
However the name of SLFP MP Shantha Bandara who took oaths as State Minister of Promoting the Production & Regulating the Supply of Organic Fertiliser, and Promoting, Seed Production and Advanced Technology Agriculture was not mentioned in the list of state ministers published on April 18.
The following day three more state ministers were appointed increasing the number of state ministers to 27. They are Sadhasivam Viyalendran, Mohamad Musharaff and Sivaneisathurai Chandrakanthan also known as Pillayan.