In an unprecedented move, President Maithripala Sirisena has issued a gazette notification placing the Department of Government Printing under the Lands and Parliamentary Reforms Ministry. 

The Department of Government Printing was brought under the control of the Defence Ministry soon after the outbreak of the political crisis in Sri Lanka, in October last year. 

Even after the resolution of the political crisis in December, the Department remainded under the purview of the Defence Minsitry, which was retained by President Sirisena.

Many described the move at that point as an apparent abuse of Presidential powers. The UNP, however, refrained from challenging the President's decision. 

The Deaprtment has now been placed under Minister Gayantha Karunathilake, a senior member of the United National Party. 

Informed political sources said this was the first time the Department of Government Printing was brought under the Lands Ministry .