President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday hit out at his Cabinet ministers, mostly UNP ones, for being lethargic and ineffective.

The President, during a special meeting held after the weekly Cabinet meeting,  said the public, even the ones who voted for the government on January 08, last year, have lost patience.

A visibly angry President said nothing seemed moving at the grassroots level and ministers spend their time talking "useless matters".

He directed Cabinet ministers start development and other projects in their areas, without consuming more time.

The President also stressed that administration in most government ministries was inefficient and officials were merely "warming their seats"

Government sources said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe too was present at the meeting. However, the Prime Minister kept mum during the meeting, without trying to defend the ministers representing his own party.