Dr Sarath Obeysekera

The much awaited Cabinet shuffle of the National Unity Government took place yesterday, with President Maithripala Sirisena changing six ministerial portfolios and appointing three state ministers and one deputy minister. The President, while congratulating the newly appointed Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers, said in keeping with the message received from the electorate, changes and corrective measures would be taken in order to implement the future programme of work successfully on behalf of the people. These changes as well as those soon to be made on the UPFA side of the government, will strengthen us to better serve our people,” the President added.

In the Cabinet re-shuffle, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was appointed as the Minister of Law and Order.

Does this mean that previous Minister has failed? Is I because of his inability to arrest the culprits involved in various criminal activities including corruption??

Argument by the President that people are not happy with the way government was handling punishment of the corrupted people .Justice minister who is responsible for a flawless judicial functions should have been changed ,But the President took away Foreign Employment Portion of the lady minister ?She should have been changed too

The Prime Minister will also function as the Minister of National Policy and Economic Affairs. However, sources at the Prime Minister’s office said that Premier Wickremesinghe has accepted the Law and Order portfolio only for a short period of time.

I wonder whether the Prime Minister will start behaving like a Bull in China Shop and arresting people .But it looks like he changed the Minister of Prison Reforms! I am sure that he is going to establish open prison camps and bring more bullet proof  black marias” !! , to transport them scammers safely ??

Minister Sagala Ratnayaka who was the Law and Order Minister before, was appointed the Minister of Youth Affairs and Southern Development.

South has hardly been developed. Galle harbour development is still standstill, Hambanatota has been given away on a platter ? but this minister is retained  ?

Minister Harin Fernando was given the ministerial portfolio of Foreign Employment, in addition to his Digital Infrastructure Ministry.

There is no relevance in combining both .May be the minister will make money by establishing efficient telecom and digital service for our expat workers to give calls to loved ones more often??The Foreign Employment portfolio was earlier held by Minister Thalatha Atukorale who is the Justice Minister.

Lakshman Kiriella, who was the Higher Education and Highways Cabinet Minister, was appointed as the State Enterprise and Kandy Development Cabinet Minister. UNP General Secretary Kabir Hashim, who held the Public Enterprise Development portfolio, was appointed as the new Higher Education and Highways Cabinet Minister.

A minister who has failed in Sri Lankan Airlines has taken away an important ministry. I Can he resurrect  highways and higher education which are in  a royal mess ? Air transport has been messed up and almost grounded, Now ground transport may have the same fate ?

Ravindra Samaraweera, who was the Labour and Trade Union Relations State Minister, was appointed as the Sustainable Development and Wildlife Cabinet Minister, a portfolio held by Minister Gamini Jayawickrema Perera. Perera will remain as the Minister of Buddhasasana.

Many wild elephants have been slaughtered. Some prominent Buddhist monks were keeping elephants illegally. Ven Sobhita Thera was killed by a ( not so wild ) elephant .But the two legged elephants who runs amok have failed ,hence people voted them out in local elections .Is this the reason for shifting the portfolio ??

Piyasena Gamage who was the Law and Order State Minister was sworn-in as the Youth Affairs and Southern Development State Minister.

This is a reward for helping to kick out the vociferous silver screen actress from the parliament. Not very convincing? 

Ajith P. Perera who held the portfolio of Power and Renewable Energy Deputy Minister was sworn-in as the Prison Reforms, Drug Prevention and Community Correction State Minister.

As mentioned earlier he will surely build more prisons to lock up the scammers and looters and help the Prime Minister in maintaining law and order

Dr. Harsha de Silva, who was the National Policies and Economic Affairs Deputy Minister, has been appointed as the National Policies and Economic Affairs State Minister.

Lot of theory but no tangible results in development hence  no sense ?

Kurunegala District UNP Parliamentarian J.C. Alawathuwala was appointed as the Home Affairs Deputy Minister.

No sense at all

State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva speaking about the changes said it will help the government to forge ahead with new vigour.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Minister of Sustainable Development and Wildlife Ravindra Samaraweera told the Daily News that he will strive to find sustainable solutions for the Human-Elephant Conflict on a priority basis. Minister Smaraweera also said that he will implement a special conservation programme for the protection of the already dwindling tuskers in the country

Is he going to train more mahouts who can control wild elephants? Is this the message given by the people ? Build more prisons and save elephants ?

.Minister of Digital Infrastructure and Foreign Employment Harin Fernando commenting on the Cabinet reshuffle said it is important that the government listens to voice and demands of the general public when moving ahead. He also said a team of professionals have been appointed to expedite the ministerial work and provide an excellent service to the public within a very limited time frame.

I fully agree

Conclusion

Army commander justified recalling of the Brigadier from London who behaved like a school boy in a big match ,that it was a tactical redeployment

Analogue is,government has also carried out similar action and redeployed tactically and shifted various Generals !

It makes no sense.

Dr Sarath Obeysekera