Fate of CCEM to be decided today

Tuesday, 6 March 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chathuri Dissanayake

The Government is to discuss the future of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management, headed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, today at the Cabinet meeting.

During last week’s cabinet meeting, President Maithripala Sirisena said that the CCEM should be dismissed as it took the responsibility of informed decision-making away from the Cabinet, resulting in a heated debate between the two leaders. The discussion however ended without a final verdict as Premier stood his ground, insisting CCEM should continue. Further discussion and the final decision on the matter were postponed to this week.

Last week, during the discussion Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stressed that three ministries - National Policies, Development Strategies and Finance - need in-depth consultation and coordination for certain matters, emphasising the need for the CCEM to continue. However, the President has suggested appointing cabinet sub-committees for proposals needing further discussion, as is the normal practice.