Cabinet reshuffle on the cards?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several Ministers expressed their views regarding the possible Cabinet reshuffle which is due to take place soon. 

The Minister of Highways, Johnston Fernando said that the President can proceed to carry out a cabinet reshuffle at any time as it is the responsibility of the President.

" If the President thinks that a Minister is not working properly, the President will remove him, it should be done, he should take such radicalsyatestate decisions," he said.

Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that he is of the opinion that if he is unable to carry out the responsibilities entrusted upon him, or have misused State power, his Ministerial portfolio should be stripped, and this necessary change should take place not only in the Cabinet but also in Government bodies.

" Yes, the President has the power to change the Cabinet and no one can demand it. I hope the President will make that decision prudently," the Minister said.

In addition, the Minister of Education, Dinesh Gunawardena alleged that the cabinet reshuffle is simply a media fable, and the Constitution of Sri Lanka allows the President to change the portfolio of any Minister of any subject at any time.

Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella stated that things are done as they are needed, and he will continue to work his best until the last possible moment.

However, SJB MP Tissa Attanayake stated that shuffling the cabinet would not solve any existing problems, and mentioned that the people are asking that the whole Government to resign, and not to shuffle their portfolios.

" This cabinet is useless. It is now clear that they are puppet ministers in this cabinet through their public statements," he added.

Wasantha Samarasinghe, the Convener of the Voice for Anti Corruption also stated that people are now aware that their problems cannot be solved by playing a game of changing heads.