President in his family temple – The Island

President Ranil Wickremesinghe would hold the defense, finance and other cabinet portfolios that have yet to be assigned until a multiparty government is formed, ministerial sources said. The Island yesterday.

This would be constitutional, sources said, adding that there is no time limit for the president to hold such portfolios. The government was keen to conclude talks on a multi-party deal as soon as possible, they said.

Ports and shipping and investment promotion portfolios, previously held by SLFPer Nimal Siripala de Silva and businessman Dhammika Perera, remain vacant, pending the conclusion of investigations into the allegations. of alleged corruption in the case of lawmaker de Silva and a possible agreement on a multiparty agreement. government, political sources said.

In addition, Defense, previously held by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, remains vacant, as well as Finance, which was previously under Prime Minister Wickremesinghe. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs also remains without a minister.

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is responsible for public administration, internal affairs, provincial council and local government.

The other ministers are Douglas Devananda (Fisheries), Susil Premajayantha (Education), Bandula Gunawardena (Transport & Highways and Media), Keheliya Rambukwella (Health and Water Supply), Mahinda Amaraweera (Agriculture, Wildlife and Forestry Conservation), Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe (justice, prisons and constitutional reforms), Harin Fernando (tourism and land), Ramesh Pathirana (plantations and industries), Prasanna Ranatunga (urban development and housing), Ali Sabry (external affairs), Vidura Wickramanayake (Buddha Sasana, religion and culture business), Kanchana Wijesekera (electricity and energy), Naseer Ahamed (environment), Roshan Ranasinghe (sports and youth affairs, and irrigation), Manusha Nanayakkara (overseas labor and employment), Tiran Alles (public security) and Nalin Fernando (trade, trade and food security).