The new Government has responded to allegations over the lack of Muslim representation in its Cabinet of Ministers.

“We didn’t form the Cabinet according to race, ethnicity, religion or caste. We have selected persons who are very much capable to hold those Ministerial portfolios,” Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. 

Responding to a question during yesterday’s (26) Cabinet press briefing, he noted that the National People’s Power Government has in fact appointed a Muslim entrepreneur as the Governor of the Western Province, and that the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, one of the Deputy Ministers and one of the National List Parliamentarians appointed from the Gampaha District are from the Muslim community. 

“We are serving the Sri Lankan nation. Not for the races/ethnicity, the religions and the caste,” he stressed. 

“We appeal to the Muslim community not to consider these matters according to the race/ethnicity/religion. Please see our new Government and the Cabinet from the angle of the Sri Lankan nation. Then, we can solve that problem,” he added.