President to part with Defence Ministry, will not retain other portfolios

Four members of the new Cabinet sworn in so far, maybe limited to a total of 20 SJB, NPP, SLFP and independent parties reject requests to join new government

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will hand over the defence portfolio and will not retain any ministries in Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's interim government, the Sunday Times learns.

The new Cabinet is expected to be limited to a maximum of 20, which means 18 other ministers will serve alongside the President and PM.

President Rajapaksa swore in four members of the new Cabinet yesterday. This was after the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna ( SLPP) offered its support to the new premier, after its parliamentary group met President Rajapaksa. The new ministers are Prof. G. L. Peiris ( Foreign), Dinesh Gun award en a( Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government ), Pr as anna Ranatunga (Urban Development and Housing) and Kanchana Wijesekera (Power and Energy).

The allocation of portfolios and possible merging of certain portfolios for the new Cabinet is currently under discussion, sources said yesterday. The plan is to swear in as much of the new Cabinet as possible before Parliament meets on Tuesday. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB), National People’s Power (NPP), Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the group of ten parties sitting independently with the Opposition had rejected requests to join the new

Government. There were, however, efforts to lure away individual MPs to join the new administration. Both SJB and SLFP sources confirmed yesterday that approaches had been made to some of their MPs to cross over and accept ministerial posts.

The Eelam People’s Democratic Party ( EPDP) led by Douglas Devananda had decided to extend support for Mr Wickremesinghe and Mr Devananda was expected to take up a Cabinet post. The Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) has said it would also join the interim Government.

Meanwhile, there were angry scenes at the SLPP parliamentary group meeting held yesterday when MPs complained to the President that both the Inspector General ( IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne and Army Commander Shavendra Silva had not taken adequate measures to protect their lives and properties from attacks.

Many MPs had accused the IGP of being slow to act despite intelligence warnings that angry people would target them and their properties. Some MPs had said they had personally phoned the IGP pleading for more security as their properties were about to be attacked, but Police officers had been deployed only several hours after the attacks took place, they had told the President.

They had also questioned why more arrests had not been made despite many suspects being clearly identified, and their names and addresses shared with the Police. Meanwhile authorities were also tightening security surrounding all MPs.

The number of Police officers assigned to guard each MP would be increased from two to six. They would also be issued with T56 assault rifles instead of small arms. A minister was earlier assigned five Policemen and a Sub Inspector ( SI). This would now be increased to Policemen and an SI. All officers would be issued T56 weapons. It had been made mandatory for Police guards assigned to MPs and ministers to be in Police uniform while on duty.

Police had been directed to increase patrols near MPs' residences and other properties. The Army would also be stationed on roads leading to MPs' residences and properties and in the surrounding areas, as an additional security measure, until the situation returned to normal.

A heavy security cordon would also be in place around Parliament when it reconvened on Tuesday. Accordingly, a joint security operation by the Police and the Army would be initiated to ensure that MPs can reach Parliament and leave without any hindrance, said Public Security Ministry Secretary Jagath Alwis.

Parliament is set to elect a new Deputy Speaker as the first order of business when it reconvenes. Opposition parties are hopeful of nominating an MP by consensus for the post with no names being proposed by the Government. Thereafter, Parliament is due to debate the motion conveying Parliament’s displeasure against the President, with a vote on the motion expected later that evening.