Basil to quit Parliament today; Dhammika to enter

Basil Rajapaksa

Dhammika Perera

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) firebrand and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has decided to step down from his Parliamentary seat today. 

Rajapaksa, who is a National List-MP will continue to be active in party politics after stepping down from Parliament.

Basil’s exit was rumoured to facilitate the entry of business leader Dhammika Perera to Parliament.

The private sector was upbeat over Dhammika’s entry which some opined will only be formalised by early next week. However he had obtained membership of SLPP yesterday.

It is learnt that Dhammika might be assigned Ministry of Policy Planning and/or investment promotion.

Recently FT reported that Dhammika is confident of drawing $ 8 billion afresh via strategic 12 initiatives.  If appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will request Dhammika to deliver what he promised and confident of.