SLFP asks for important portfolios

Though an Agreement was signed between the UNP and the SLFP to establish a National Government, a final decision has still not been reached for acquiring topmost positions in the National Government, because of the tussle for power. 

Although the number of Cabinet Minister posts had been increased upto 52 by day-before-yesterday, as legal issues had cropped up this number for these Ministers had been brought down to 45 and instead a proposition has been brought forward to bestow Minister positions of 40. The total number of Ministers would be 95. Though naming the Ministers of the UNP was done with ease, it has been a difficult task for both Parties to come to a conclusion by now because of the tussle of asking for top positions by the SLFP. Though there was a talk about such a topic during the last Presidential Election, as it is not the same thing where the 19th Amendment is concerned, the Prime Minister Ranil had made a reply saying that there is no possibility to grant such a decision until a new constitution is brought forth.

Seniors having seen the list of Ministers allotted to to the SLFP by yesterday were disappointed and had subjected it to serious criticism saying that they cannot give consent to a National Government Agreement over such a minor matter. The suggestion of SLFP seniors after that was that they would wish to have Ministries in the category of Minister of Finance, Minister of Power and Energy and Minister of Samurdhi which have a better recognition. As it was pointed out that there is no possibility of acceding to all such requests, the discussions came to a close without a final decision even by night yesterday. A group of Ministers including Kabir Hasheem who got angered on this occasion had responded saying that, "In that case we don't want a National Government .... we can form a government by getting together separately with other Parties".

Whatever it is, the hope of both the President and the Premier is to solve this issue at hand in a manner that brings satisfaction to everyone, as much as possible. Though taking oaths had been fixed for tomorrow 27th and day-after-tomorrow the 28th, after the first party takes the oaths on tomorrow 27th, discussions are planned to take place about sharing Ministries which matter was the cause of concern and then for the balance party to take their oaths at a date in the week future ahead.