In a significant policy shift, the new government has decided to eliminate the concept of state ministers and instead appoint 26-28 deputy ministers within the next couple of days, a minister revealed yesterday.
Newly appointed Health and Media Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, told Daily Mirror that the appointments would be made soon, in line with the policy manifesto presented before the elections. He confirmed that no state ministers would be appointed under the new system.
When asked whether deputy ministers would be assigned to select Cabinet portfolios rather than all, Dr. Jayatissa did not specify.
He also mentioned that there would be a reshuffling, reappointment, or new appointment of Ministry Secretaries, though a final decision has yet to be made. However, the government has decided to retain Mahinda Siriwardana as Finance Secretary.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who has been reappointed, officially assumed duties yesterday, while Dr. Jayatissa announced he would begin his work today.
Source – dailymirror.lk
