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Sri Lanka awaits decision on new Cabinet
By Nirupama Subramanian
COLOMBO, DEC. 11. Sri Lanka waited with bated breath today for a decision on the new Cabinet as the Prime Minister, Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe, was due to confer this evening with the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, on a list of Ministers finalised by him.
The Prime Minister's list includes Ministers for Defence and Finance, portfolios that are held by Ms. Kumaratunga, and which she reportedly wants to retain.
The state radio and television said all arrangements had been made for 20 Cabinet Ministers and 22 other Ministers to be sworn in on Wednesday, but did not say if an agreement had been reached between the President and the Prime Minister on the proposed new Cabinet.
Meanwhile, on a request from Mr. Wickremesinghe for a change in the date that has been fixed for convening the House, Ms. Kumaratunga today issued a fresh proclamation rescheduling it for December 18.
The UNP today finalised the names of the 13 members that its vote share entitles it to nominate to Parliament. Among them are Mr. K.N. Choksy, who is tipped to become the Finance Minister, and Mr. Tilak Marapana, who is believed to be Mr. Wickremesinghe's choice for the Defence portfolio.
Also included are Mr. G.L. Peiris and Mr. S.B. Dissanaayke, who defected from the PA to the UNP before the elections. Earlier in the day, the Parliamentary Group of the defeated People's Alliance (PA) met to endorse the appointment of the former Prime Minister, Mr. Ratnasiri Wickramanayke, as the Leader of the Opposition. Ms. Kumaratunga led the meeting.
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