Basil abandons the East and travels overseas

Friday, 07 September 2012

 Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has traveled overseas abandoning the Eastern provincial Council election campaign stating that MP Namal Rajapaksa was interfering in it.

Basil Rajapaksa has gone to the US and is scheduled to return to the country once the election results are announced. Basil led the Eastern Re-awakening (Negenahira Navodaya) programme and was the government leader to the Eastern Province. He was also the political coordinator with other political parties in the province.

However, Basil’s advisors believe that the attempts made by Basil to get the SLMC to contest the Eastern elections with the government failed due to the wrong advice given to the President by his advisors.

The Minister has told his coordinators during a meeting before his departure from the country that SLMC’s decision to contest separately would have an impact on the governing party’s attempt to win the Eastern Province.

Nevertheless, he has instructed his close confidante in coordinating affairs in the East, Deputy Minister Susantha Punchinilame and Timber Corporation Chairman, Siripala Amerasinghe to carry out the work in the East as planned in his absence.