In a bid to appease some senior MPs of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) who insist on Cabinet portfolios, the government has proposed to set up a separate body called ‘high post committee’ comprising them and assign responsibilities to them along with perks such as vehicles and allowances, Daily Mirror learns.

However, the SLPP MPs remain adamant that they won’t settle for anything less than Cabinet portfolios.

An MP who insisted on anonymity told Daily Mirror that these MPs were called for meetings of the proposed ‘high post committee’ but they never turned up in protest.

“We were called for meetings on Monday last week and on Monday this week. But, none of us went,” the MP said.

In another alternative, the government offered positions to the family members of these MPs, along with perks such as vehicles and allowances, but it too had been turned down.

Daily Mirror learns that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is not prepared to increase the size of the Cabinet any more. The President can have a Cabinet of 30 in terms of the Constitution. Still, there are vacancies to appoint eight more ministers.

Another informed source said that a senior SLPP politician has conspired to topple the government during a critical vote in Parliament.

(Kelum Bandara)