Nimal, Dinesh retain posts

Rasika Somarathna

The Government appointed Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as the Leader of the House and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena as the Chief Government Whip. These two Ministers held the same positions in the previous Parliament.

The decisions were arrived at the UPFA Parliamentary group meeting held under President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s patronage at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday morning, Presidential Media sources said.

Meanwhile, the Gazette notification containing the allocation of subjects to the 37 Cabinet Ministers is to become public today.

The same sources said the notification has been sent to the Government Printer. The newly appointed Cabinet is expected to hold its inaugural meeting Wednesday.

Meanwhile, UPFA sources said a Committee headed by SLFP General Secretary cum Minister Maithripala Sirisena appointed to look into filling vacancies created in the Provincial Councils due to many PC members being elected as Parliamentarians was due to meet yesterday evening. The Committee comprising several senior Cabinet ministers is expected to take a decision on the matter shortly.