ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (10) brought the subjects and institutions that came under two state ministers, one of whom was sacked and the other had resigned following a scandal, effectively abolishing the portfolios.
A gazette issued Monday evening noted that the subjects and institutions that came under the State Ministry of Education Reform, previously held by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Susil Premajayantha, has been brought under the purview of Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena.
Premajayantha, who had been openly critical of the government, was fired by President Rajapaksa on January 04.
According to the gazette, the institutions that changed ministries are the National Education Commission and the National Institute of Education.
The institutions and functions of the State Ministry of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, held by SLPP MP Lohan Ratwatte who had resigned following a widely publicised scandal over an alleged prison raid, have been brought under the Ministry of Justice, held by a portfolio held by SLPP MP Ali Sabry.
In other revisions announced Monday night, the Central Cultural Fund and the Buddhasasana Fund that were under the Ministry of Economic Policies and Planning have been brought under the purview of the Ministry of Buddhasasana.
The Local Authorities Elections Ordinance and the Provincial Councils Elections (Amendment) Act which were under the State Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Governments have been reassigned to the Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils, and Local Government.
Meanwhile, the State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development will now be overseeing the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka. (Colombo/Jan11/2022)