The government is to set up a high-profile state body to handle Public Private Partnerships. 

Thilan Wijesinghe, a controversial businessman who held the post of BOI Chairman under former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga's government, has been appointed as the Chairman and the Acting CEO of the new unit. 

Wijesinghe had to quit the BOI Chairman's post after an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Bribery and Corruption. 

Although Wijesinghe was later cleared of charges, he has not held a government position ever since. 

Wijesinghe, according to government sources, will be assisted by a board of directors of seven. 

The new body will have a wide range of powers to implement plans with regard to PPPs in Sri Lanka. The proposal received the Cabinet nod at the weekly meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday morning. 

The unit will operate under Finance and Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera.