Sri Lanka to get new strategic development ministry

[BackstageTop contributor]

Sri Lanka to get new strategic development ministry

Aug 20, 2015

ECONOMYNEXT, Sri Lanka’s new government is set to fast track its economic reforms agenda with the creation of a new ministry for strategic development that will include functions of both the finance ministry as well as investment promotion, official sources said.

UNP chairman Malik Samarawickrema is tipped to head the new ministry whose name is still being decided in time for Monday’s swearing in of a cabinet by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who will be sworn in Prime Minister on Friday.

“The idea is that there is a new ministry which will help speed up the monetary and fiscal reforms to achieve the economic targets of the new government,” the official said asking not to be named.

The new government is grappling with not only the ministers and their portfolios, but how to accommodate a section of the SLFP which is trying to forge a “national government” as defined by the 19th amendment to the constitution.

Government sources said the SLFP was demanding 10 to 15 cabinet slots and an equal number of deputy ministries in exchange for their support. The SLFP had also wanted the government to limit its cabinet positions to 20 so that the final cabinet will be anything between 30 to 35, something that is not acceptable to the UNP.

President Sirisena has appointed a five-member committee headed by former president Chandrika Kumaratunga to negotiate with Prime Minister-elect Wickremesinghe and a decision will have to be made over the weekend.

The 19th amendment to the constitution stipulated that there shall be a maximum of 30 cabinet ministers in the event a party is forming a government on its own. However, in the event of a “national government” the parliament will have to decide the size of the cabinet and the number of junior ministries.

[jiggysaurusTop contributor]

More than a strategic development ministry what our country desperately needs is a Ministry of vashi boley and asstrology.

[කිත්සිරි ද සිල්වාTop contributor]

Given due consideration for the number of votes they have secured, this (numbers) seems to be a reasonable request.
But the problems will come when they start to haggle for particular ministries and  try to blur the vision or the direction, UNP wants the country to be driven.

Government sources said  the SLFP was demanding 10 to 15 cabinet slots and an equal number of deputy ministries in exchange for their support. The SLFP had also wanted the government to limit its cabinet positions to 20 so that the final cabinet will be anything between 30 to 35, something that is not acceptable to the UNP.

[jiggysaurusTop contributor]

Given due consideration for the number of votes they have secured, this (numbers) seems to be a reasonable request.
But the problems will come when they start to haggle for particular ministries and  try to blur the vision or the direction, UNP wants the country to be driven.

No choice also, this is the cost of cleaning Appachchi. Also the murderers and thiefs in Appachci's family need to arrested and that can only be done on a national govt platform.

[කිත්සිරි ද සිල්වාTop contributor]

Yes, cleaning up and bringing those who have been (openly) accused of involved in corruptions to justice is paramount but securing BLUE support should not be a hindrance to that in the end.

Given due consideration for the number of votes they have secured, this (numbers) seems to be a reasonable request.
But the problems will come when they start to haggle for particular ministries and  try to blur the vision or the direction, UNP wants the country to be driven.

No choice also, this is the cost of cleaning Appachchi. Also the murderers and thiefs in Appachci's family need to arrested and that can only be done on a national govt platform.

[Hybrid]

"You pat my back and I at your back" has been the order of the day.

Ultimate there will be a dilution and further compromises to the principles, values and original mandates leaving the poor nation at the mercy of the elite few in power.