Deputy Minister Kader Masthan's deputy ministerial post has been gazetted sans the portfolio on Hindu Religious Affairs. 

Masthan, a member of the SLFP. was earlier given the position of Deputy Minister of Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Northern Development and Hindu Religious Affairs. 

However, Tamil political parties vehemently objected to the appointment as Masthan was a Muslim. 

In the face of this pressure, President Maithripala Sirisena has taken measures to gazette his position sans the portfolio on Hindu Religious Affairs.