Four prominent Parliamentarians of the United National Party - namely Ranjan Ramanayake, Palitha Thevarapperuma, Ajiyh Mannapperuma and Buddhika Pathirana - have not received ministerial portfolios under the national unity government, led by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Dunesh Gankanda, who did not receive a portfolio on Monday , took oaths this evening as the Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Water Supply and Drainage.

However, there is an outcry amongst party supporters that at least a deputy minister post should be given to Ramanayake who was a vociferous critique of the Rajapaksa regime over the past two years.

It is now in the grapevine that Ramanayake too would be given a deputy ministerial portfolio in the coming days.

Pathirana and Thevarapperuma had to face disciplinary inquiries in the recent past due to their disputes with UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. It is clear that such disputes have made an impact when offering positions under the new administration.

Ajith Mannapperuma, a relative "newcomer" to national level politics who was appointed to Parliament after the demise of Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, too did not receive a position in the new Cabinet.