Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2015-09-16

Upholding the Collective Responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers

- In terms of the Article 42(2) of the Constitution, the Cabinet of Ministers is charged with the direction and control of the Government of the Republic of Sri Lanka and is collectively responsible and answerable to the Parliament. However, having considered the various issues arisen due to the disregard of that hallowed tradition at certain instances and also the delays caused in implementing the decisions, which should have been implemented forthwith in the best interest of the country, the following proposals made by H.E. the President Maithripala Sirisena, with a view to preventing such occurrences in the future, was approved by the Cabinet.

* that a pledge should be made by each Member of the Cabinet of Ministers that he/she would strictly adhere to and exhibit his/her dedication to uphold and to establish a virtuous political culture newly, with due respect to the hallowed tradition of upholding the Collective Responsibility of the Cabinet of Ministers.

* appointment of a Ministerial Committee to formulate a Code of Ethics in keeping with the best practices of the good governance to be followed by the Members of the Cabinet voluntarily and adoption of the Code of Ethics so formulated by the Cabinet within one month.

Accordingly, all Ministers made a pledge at this meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, to the effect that the Collective Responsibility of the Cabinet will be upheld.