Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera yesterday charged newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake would sell lottery tickets to other countries, given that the Lotteries Board and other institutions have been given under his care.

“These institutions come under the Finance Ministry,” he charged. “What does the Foreign Minister have to do with the Lotteries Board? He will have to sell lottery tickets to other countries. This is a joke,” he alleged. 

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was appointed Foreign Affairs Minister in Cabinet reshuffle on May 22. However, details later emerged that several of the key institutions under the Finance Ministry would be given to the newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, considered one of the top performers in the national unity government, was appointed Finance Minister in move pundits describe a bid to stem the negativity brought about by the Central Bank Treasury bond scam.