Cabinet reshuffle imminent

Co-Cabinet spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday  that a cabinet reshuffle is likely to happen and will be decided according to how the votes were cast on the No-Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister. Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing held at the Parliamentary complex this week, Minister Senaratne said that those who vote for the No-Confidence Motion have no ethical right to remain in the Government.

“Already, four State Ministers have signed the No-Confidence Motion, and they will have to leave the Government. Anyone else who votes in favour of the Motion cannot remain in the cabinet. The reshuffle will be decided in accordance with how Ministers vote,” he said.

However, the Minister noted that there was no issue with those MPs who abstained from voting.

“Some have said that they will abstain from voting. We have no qualms with that, and they can remain in the Government. Abstaining from voting indicates that they are against the Motion. Whoever votes for the motion are betraying the Government and cannot remain in it,” he asserted.

At the time of writing, it was reported that approximately 14 SLFPers had decided to abstain from casting their votes for the No-Confidence Motion.