Bimal Rathnayake says skilled UNP and SJB figures may receive government responsibilities if they can serve national needs honestly.
Bimal Rathnayake says the government is ready to bring in skilled, capable, and honest individuals from the UNP and SJB and offer them responsibilities in the future.
The Minister made the remarks while appearing on the “Rathu Ira” program on Swarnavahini, where he explained the government’s position on using talent beyond party lines.
He said the government’s aim is to act according to national needs when running the administration, rather than being limited only to a party’s ideology.
Rathnayake pointed out that governing a country requires wider contribution than the way a political party operates. He also said that even when forming the government, support and contributions were received from people who did not vote for the National People’s Power.
The Minister said uplifting a national asset such as cricket is a national need. Therefore, when selecting suitable skilled managers for that purpose, the government does not consider whether they are from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya or the United National Party.
“If there are individuals with honest capability, we are willing to give them plenty of responsibilities and opportunities going forward,” he further said.
His comments come amid political discussion over the appointment of former Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Eran Wickramaratne as Chairman of the Cricket Transformation Committee.
Rathnayake described Eran Wickramaratne’s appointment as an excellent example of the government’s willingness to assign duties to capable individuals regardless of party background.
He said the government will not hesitate to give responsibilities, even in state institutions, to skilled people who can contribute honestly.
This raises questions about whether the government is moving toward a broader talent-based administrative model, or whether such appointments will trigger fresh political debate between the ruling party and opposition.
Minister Bimal Rathnayake further stated that the responsibility of transforming cricket has been entrusted to skilled individuals without party discrimination.
He said this process includes veterans such as Kumar Sangakkara, Sidath Wettimuny, and Roshan Mahanama.
According to Rathnayake, this approach reflects the vision of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
However, questions remain over how far the government will go in appointing capable figures from the UNP and SJB to future roles, and how those parties will respond if more of their members are invited into national responsibilities.
What happens next could be critical, as Bimal Rathnayake’s remarks signal that the government may continue to reach beyond party boundaries when selecting individuals for major public responsibilities, especially in sectors considered national assets.
