With the recent cabinet reshuffle, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena was appointed as the State Minister for State Enterprises Development.
But the State Enterprises Development Minister Kabir Hashim said to have threatened to resign from his portfolio and UNP Party’s Secretary post . He doesn’t want Abeywardena as his State Minister . However, President Maithripala Sirisena reported to have spoken to Kabir Hashim and cooled him down.
When Minister Abeywardena went to the Ministry to assume duties he found to his surprise that six rooms out of nine assigned for his new ministry office at the East Tower of the World Trade Centre had been acquired by the staff of the minister Kabir Hashim. Hence, he was forced to postpone duty assumption till yesterday (5).
Meanwhile the Secretary of State Enterprises Development Ministry told Minister Abeywardena a proper place for the new state minister would be arranged for assuming the duties on Monday (05). However it had not been possible for the secretary to decide on a place for the new minister even till evening yesterday. Later a discussion was held by officials of the Minister Abeywardena and the secretary of the ministry about office accommodation for the state ministry. However the Minister is not expected to assume duties today (06) till the problem is solved.
