Sri Lanka ministries to be divided, new ministers to be sworn-in

Political sources of Sri Lanka say that several ministries will be divided at the pending cabinet reshuffle to grant portfolios to the senior deputy ministers and the opposition legislators who have joined the government.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been divided and a new Ministry of Foreign Employment has been created under present Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Dilan Perera, sources say.

According to sources, Ministry of Transport has been divided into two ministries as the state and private transport sectors and the private sector is to be given to Deputy Minister of Power and Energy Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

The Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has also been separated and the new Minister of Culture is likely to be Deputy Minister of Education T.B. Ekanayaka.

The Ministry of Agriculture is also likely to split into three ministries, sources say.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf Hakeem who was scheduled to meet the President this evening can be appointed as the Minister of Justice, sources reveal.

Reportedly Deputy Minister of Finance Sarath Amunugama is also to be promoted as a minister.