The first Cabinet reshuffle of the national unity government has been postponed due to resistance by the Prime Minister, informed political sources said.

President Sirisena had earlier told close allies the first reshuffle of the national unity government would take place in January.

The President intended to replace several key ministers of the current government.

When the matter was discussed between the President and Prime Minister, Premier Wickremesinghe had insisted the Cabinet should not be reshuffled at this juncture.

The two have agreed to reevaluate the decision in March and make a final decision then, our political sources said.

"The government is expected to hold discussions with the IMF In March. The talks on Cabinet reshuffle will commence after that," a source close to the President told Asian Mirror. 

Civil society groups on several occasions have urged the President to reshuffle the current government and remove under-performing ministers.