Basil to parliament - Ministerial portfolio on Finance?

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) who returned to the island from the United States is due to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament, political sources said.

It is reported that no final decision has been taken in this regard and further discussions are being held.

There are two opinions among the MPs representing the government regarding this swearing in of former Minister Basil Rajapaksa

Some government MPs have suggested that former Minister Basil Rajapaksa should be sworn in as a Member of Parliament on July 6.

Others are of the opinion that former Minister Basil Rajapaksa should only enter after the vote on the no-confidence motion presented against Minister Udaya Gammanpila.

Political sources further stated that Basil Rajapaksa is scheduled to enter Parliament as a Member of Parliament from the National List.

Accordingly, one of the two, Jayantha Ketagoda or Prof. Ranjith Bandara, who entered Parliament from the SLPP national list, will resign, the sources said.

However, it is reported that after being sworn in as a Member of Parliament, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa will be sworn in before the President as the Cabinet Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

Meanwhile, the government has focused its attention on reducing the price of kerosene which was increased by Seven rupees with the recent increase in fuel prices.

According to political sources, the focus is on reducing prices due to the hardships faced by the fishermen and the people in the plantation areas.

The Cabinet of Ministers which met recently decided to increase the price of a liter of kerosene by seven rupees in addition to the increase in the prices of petrol and diesel.