Gazette detailing duties of ministries issued

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The Extraordinary Gazette notification detailing the duties and functions of the Ministries, which was issued yesterday (May 12) by the Presidential Secretariat bearing the President's signature, came into effect at midnight yesterday (May 12).

Among the key changes to duties and functions of ministries was the removal of the Mahapola Scholarship Trust Fund from the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, and re-assigning it to the Ministry of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs.

The Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of the National Museum have also been assigned to the Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Ministry.

The Department of Archaeology, the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation, the Public Performance Board, the National Performing Arts Centre, the National Arts Council, the Gramodhaya Folk Arts Centre, Ape Gama, the Department of National Archives and the Central Cultural Fund, which were previously assigned to the Ministry of Education have been reassigned to the Ministry of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs.The Ministry also takes over purview of the National Film Corporation.

Among other notable changes, the Institute of Policy Studies has been removed from the purview of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs.

The duties and functions previously assigned to the Ministry of Social Empowerment, Welfare & Kandyan Heritage have been re-assigned under two ministries. As such the Divi Neguma Development Department, the National Social Development Institute, the Rural Development Training and Research Institute and the Social Security Board have been re-assigned to the Ministry of Social Empowerment.

The National Council for Elders, the National Secretariat for Elders, the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, have been re-assigned to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Primary Industries.

Hingurana Sugar Industry Limited, Ceylon Sugar Private Limited and the National Paper Corporation have been removed from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and re-assigned to the Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development. The Sugarcane Research Institute has been removed from the Ministry of Plantation Industries and assigned to the Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development.

Hotel Developers Private Limited, previously held by the Ministry of Public Enterprises has been removed from that ministry.

Nevertheless, all State Banks, the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, Sri Lankan Airlines and Mihin Lanka Private Limited, remain under the purview of the Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs.

The Paddy Marketing Board and the Hadabima Authority, which were previously under the Ministry of Rural Economic Affairs have been re-assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture.