RW’s mini-Cabinet reshuffle comes under criticism from SLPP, SJB and others

Healthy shuffle

Dr. Ramesh Pathirana being sworn in as the new Health Minister in addition to his existing portfolio of Industries whilst his predecessor Keheliya Rambukwella being sworn in as the new Environment Minister yesterday before President Ranil Wickremesinghe

•  President removes Keheliya as Health Minister and assigns Environment 
•  Dr. Ramesh Pathirana appointed new Health Minister; retains current portfolio as Minister of Industries
•  Agriculture Minister Amaraweera gets added responsibility of Plantation Industries
•  SLPP expresses disappointment over two Ministerial positions being handed over to SLFP members 
•  Calls decision a misstep after allegations against Minister Rambukwella have proved false 
•  Says SLPP’s strong objection has been communicated to President Wickremesinghe
•  SJB labels reshuffle nothing more than a theatrical charade
•  Voices concern that Rambukwella would now destroy environmental sector 
•  GL says removal of Health Minister will not resolve crisis in the sector
•  Udaya Gammanpila says President’s cabinet reshuffle is admission of Opposition’s motion of no Confidence on Health Minister

The ruling Sri Lankan Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) expressed its deep displeasure on yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, which included changes to several ministerial positions, including that of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. 

Addressing the media, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam expressed the party’s disappointment over President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to allocate one ministerial position and one state ministerial position to two members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), despite the SLPP’s significant role in Government.

This strong reaction from the party follows President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, during which ministerial roles for several members, including Mahinda Amaraweera and Keheliya Rambukwella, underwent changes.

As part of these changes, Minister Amaraweera was appointed as the Minister of Agriculture and Plantation Industries, while former Health Minister Rambukwella took the oath as the new Minister of Environment.

In addition, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana assumed the position of Minister of Health, retaining his current portfolio as Minister of Industries. State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, was appointed as the Non-Cabinet Minister of Plantation Enterprises, alongside his existing responsibilities.

Commenting on the changes, Kariyawasam said the decision was a misstep, emphasising that the SLPP is unafraid to criticise the President when he makes erroneous choices like this one.

The SLPP General Secretary also asserted that all allegations against the former Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella, who has now been appointed as the Minister of Environment, a less prestigious post, are baseless and without merit.

“It has been established that the allegations are unfounded. Nonetheless, possibly due to the current circumstances, the President has chosen to appoint Ramesh Pathirana instead,” he noted. 

Kariyawasam said the party’s discontent and objection has been communicated to President Wickremesinghe. He also mentioned that the party will make a decision on how to proceed in response to this matter.

In a related development, the main opposition party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), also strongly criticised the Cabinet reshuffle, labelling it as nothing more than a theatrical charade.

Issuing a statement, the SJB noted that the Minister who has been consistently criticised as a failure by both the opposition and the citizens has now been entrusted with the environment portfolio. The party said this development does not contribute to the establishment of a Smart Country but rather results in a country marked by superficial gimmicks. 

 ”Is this the Smart Country the President has envisioned?” the party asked.

“Amidst concerns about the perceived underperformance of the Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella, a vote of no confidence was initiated by us. However, the government strongly rallied around him. Today, the President took the unexpected step of removing the health minister, despite the government’s prior expressions of unwavering confidence in him, while the country’s healthcare sector continues to face challenges. This decision has left 113 MPs exposed,” the SJB added.

The party also voiced its apprehension that the Minister, who had a hand in the downfall of the healthcare sector, could potentially have a detrimental impact on the environment sector in the country, thereby leading it towards a similar state of deterioration.

Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member and parliamentarian Prof. G.L Peiris yesterday said the dismissal of Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella to replace him with another is not an effective remedy for the ongoing crisis in the country’s healthcare sector.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has made significant changes to his Cabinet in response to the opposition’s motion of no confidence against Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

During a press conference PHU leader asserted that the Government’s initial stance to protect Minister Rambukwella was incorrect. 

“In an unexpected move, the President’s acknowledgment of the opposition’s stance underscores a significant shift in the political landscape. The reassignment of Minister Rambukwella and the scrutiny of proposed policies demonstrate a willingness to address concerns raised by the opposition and the public,” he added.

In addition, the PHU leader also highlighted concerns about the Public Utility Commission’s handling of the electricity bill issue. 

He accused the Government of disregarding public input and removing the former Chairman Janaka Ratnayake to advance its own agenda.