Triggering a fresh controversy, President Maithripala Sirisena has demanded state media institutions, making the negotiations over the appointments of a new Cabinet even harder.

Sirisena has reportedly informed the UNP that he would place two state media institutions under his direct purview. 

The UNP has vehemently opposed to the plan, stating that all state media institutions should come under the Ministry of Media. 

It is learnt that Sirisena also wants to retain the Police Department which he recently gazetted under the Ministry of Defence. 

The UNP, however, has opposed this plan and demanded the Police Department be brought under the Ministry of Law and Order. The UNP has stressed that a senior Parliamentarian of the party should be put in charge of the Ministry of Law and Order.