'Cabinet reshuffle President's prerogative'

Disna Mudalige

The Cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the President and is not alien or unheard of in democratic societies, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Responding to a question at the Cabinet press briefing at the ministry auditorium yesterday, the minister said a special ministerial portfolio on sugar industry was formulated taking into account the potential of this industry and the need for self - sufficiency.

He said the country imports about 65 to 70 percent of the sugar demand spending a large sum.

The minister said the formulation of a separate ministry will help pay special attention to develop this industry and take appropriate decisions.

Rambukwella said Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has shown a keen interest in the atomic energy sector and has emphasised the need to pay more attention to it.