Two institutions coming under the Plantation Industries Ministry was transferred to the Ministry of State Enterprise, Hill Country Heritage and Kandy Development last evening. 

Janatha Estate Development Board and State Plantation Corporation have been transferred from Plantation Ministry to the Ministry of State Enterprise, Hill Country Heritage & Kandy Development, held by Lakshman Kiriella. 

Kiriella was earlier disappointed with the President's decision to place only four institutions, namely Ceylon Ceramic Corporation, KESCO, BCC Company and the State Resources Management Corporation, under his ministry. All of them are low-profile state institutions without any significant contribution to the national economy. 

The decision to place two new institutions under Kiriella's ministry appears to be a move to appease the senior UNP politician, sources familiar with the matter said.

Meanwhile, all state media institutions, the Government Information Department and several other bodies have been placed under the newly-appointed non-Cabinet Minister of Media Ruwan Wijewardena. 

It is still not clear whether Wijewardena has decided to replace the current heads of state media institutions. 

All state media institutions have come under severe criticism from the UNP circles for being inefficient and lethargic in communicating the government's agenda to the general public.