The gazette notification relating to the allocation of state institutions among ministries is likely to be issued before December 31, informed government sources said. 

They added the Gazette had been delayed due to the absence of President Maithripala Sirisena who is currently in Thailand on a personal holiday. 

President Sirisena is expected to return to the country on December 30. "If all goes well, the Gazette can be issued before December 31," a senior government spokesman added. 

He said many differences of opinion between the President and the UNP on the allocation of state institutions among Cabinet ministers have been resolved. 

The Police Department, our sources said, will remain under the Ministry of Defence which comes under the direct purview of the President.

They added President Sirisena's representatives would be appointed to the boards of state media institutions.