According to internal government sources, in addition to the cabinet reshuffle that is said to take place on January 12, there are also plans to appoint several new state ministers.
Further, it is reported that several state and deputy ministers will be given more responsibilities than their current posts.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Jayantha Ketagoda, who resigned from the National List to pave the way for Basil Rajapaksa to be appointed as a Member of Parliament, will be given a State Ministerial post.
It is learned that he will be the next Minister of State for Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture.
Ketagoda was elected a Member of Parliament in 2000 from the United National Party.
Under the present government, he was re-elected to Parliament as a National List MP for the SLPP.
Meanwhile, with the removal of Susil Premajayantha, the vacant post of Minister of State for Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Education Promotion is likely to be filled by SB Dissanayake.
However, earlier, media reports had stated that Tissa Kuttiarachchi, who has been defending the government frequently, would be given the relevant ministerial post.
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