EPC Cabinet to be reshuffled

The Cabinet of the Eastern Provincial Council is likely to be reshuffled shortly, to settle the dispute between the Provincial Governor on the one side, and the Provincial Ministers and ruling Party Councillors on the other.


According to highly placed sources in Colombo, the reshuffle would target the Provincial Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs, Transport and Land Development, Wimalaweera Dissanayake.


Sources said he is likely to be relieved from the post of Minister of Education and Cultural Affairs, which would most likely be handed over to the Chief Minister Najeeb Abdul Majeed, who currently holds the portfolios of Rural Development and Local Government. Another Sinhalese Councillor elected on the UPFA ticket from the Ampara District, is tipped to replace Wimalaweera Dissanayake as the Minister for Transport and Land Development.


President Mahinda Rajapaksa had summoned the Governor and the Chief Minister for talks with regard to the ongoing crisis in the EPC. The majority of ruling party Provincial Councillors had wanted the Governor and the Chief Minister to be removed from their respective positions.


Except for the Chief Minister, all Provincial Ministers and ruling Party Councillors had boycotted the last session of the EPC held on 19 June, owing to disputes they have had with the Governor, who they allege was interfering in their areas of responsibility.