Amidst severe resistance from Cabinet members representing the UNP, the proposed Cabinet reshuffle has now been postponed to Monday, top government sources said.

The postponement is the outcome of a closed door meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

At the discussion, the President had informed the Prime Minister that a Cabinet reshuffle was necessary to keep the SLFP within the National Unity Government.

In response, the Prime Minister said if the SLFP wanted a Cabinet reshuffle, only the ministries held by the SLFP should be shuffled.

Former President Kumaratunga had helped the President and the Prime Minister with regard to the changes.

However, following intensive discussions, the duo had agreed to do the much talked about on Monday, at an auspicious time.

Sources close to the UNP said only a few ministries held by the UNP would be changed at the reshuffle.