Basil out, Gota in!

FRIDAY, 19 DECEMBER 2014 

It is revealed that the National Organizer of the SLFP Minister Basil Rajapaksa has been removed from Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s election campaign and the slot is being filled by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Accordingly, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa participated in the TV political programme ‘360’ telecast by ‘Derana’ TV recently. It is also revealed that he is scheduled to participate in several programmes telecast by all channels during the three days prior to postal election.

Minister Basil Rajapaksa actively participated in Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign commencing propaganda work three months ago. He established public as well as secret propaganda and operation offices throughout the country.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the UNP Tissa Attanayaka joined Mahinda faction and when the President offered him the health ministry Minister Basil Rajapaksa has advised the President against it. However, Tissa Attanayaka was appointed the Minister of Health and in disgust Minister Basil Rajapaksa has completely withdrawn from the campaign say sources. He has warned Mr. Mahinda Rajapaska that appointing Tissa Attanayaka the minister of health would create turmoil in the vote base of the SLFP.

Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has started actively participating in various programmes after the inaction of Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Recently, he laid the foundation stone to build 75 houses for those who were affected in the landslide at Meeriyabedda. He has planned to play a major role in Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign by carrying out various programmes with Civil Defense Force, police and the three forces.