President Maithripala Sirisena has opened up a fresh battlefront with the UNP by setting up a committee, headed by President's Secretary Udaya R. Seneviratne, to vet the resumes of heads of all state institutions, nominated by Cabinet ministers. 

The President has directed all ministry secretaries to make appointments after recommendations by the committee headed by Seneviratne. 

when contacted by Asian Mirror, a ministry secretary confirmed that there was a directive by the President's Office in this regard. He said he would send the resumes of the heads of state institutions, nominated by his minister, to the President's Office. 

The move, however, has sparked serious concerns among members of the Cabinet as they are the appointing authorities of heads of state institutions coming under their purview. 

Informed UNP sources said such a committee would "clip the wings" of Cabinet members. "It is clear that this is a government run by the UNP. The President is trying to ensure that he holds sway over key state sector appointments by appointing a committee that undermines the powers of Cabinet minister," a senior UNP Cabinet minister, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Political observers said the committee would set the President on a collision course with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and members of the Cabinet over important state sector appointments.