The Rajapaksa faction of the SLPP and the United National Party are apparently engaged in a critical struggle to increase their power base within the government.
According to reports, the main thrust is to exert pressure on the President to give Cabinet Minister positions to Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and Sanath Nishantha.
However, it is clear that the president has no intention of appointing these three MPs as cabinet ministers.
The neutral group within the government is of the opinion that giving them ministerial positions would lead to unfounded problems and encumbrances.
Meanwhile, Vajira Abeywardena has initiated a string of confidential negotiations to strengthen President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the United National Party government by bringing members of the Samagi Jana Balavega (SJB) into the government’s fold. It is also reported that he is planning to join the government.
The same sources also said that a female member of Samagi Jana Balavegaya and two other senior members of parliament who are planning to join the government have not yet made a firm commitment regarding the crossover.
In this situation, Ranil Wickremesinghe has lost the ability to stabilize his side of the government and manage unwanted influences before the budget.
Government sources, however, pointed out that in the current context, the President will be compelled to give Cabinet Minister posts to Johnston Fernando, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, and Sanath Nishantha.
If the proposed cabinet reshuffle takes place before the budget, it will probably happen on Monday.
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