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Basil to make way for Dhammika Perera in Parliament?

09 Jun 2022

  • Basil to relinquish national list seat after statement today
  • SLPP confirms Dhammika among possible replacements
Former Finance Minister and incumbent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Basil Rajapaksa is to give up his Parliamentary seat, making way for businessman Dhammika Perera to possibly take his position through the SLPP National List, The Morning learns.  Although sources within the SLPP confirmed that Rajapaksa would be giving up his Parliamentary seat yesterday (8), the SLPP was unable to comment on the reason behind this decision. Speaking to The Morning, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said: “Basil Rajapaksa will be stepping down, but the reason as to why he is making this decision is still not revealed.” He added that Rajapaksa is due to make a statement on the matter during a media brief tomorrow. “We will have to wait and see,” he mentioned. Additionally, Dhammika Perera is tipped to enter Parliament through the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National List, taking up the Parliamentary seat relinquished by Basil Rajapaksa, sources close to the matter have revealed.  Further, it was indicated that Perera may take up a ministerial post involving investments in Sri Lanka. When questioned by The Morning on the news of Perera entering Parliament, Kariyawasam confirmed that Perera is on the list of potential names who may replace Rajapaksa. “Basil Rajapaksa has not yet stepped down, and until he does, we cannot say what the future decisions are. But if he does step down, it needs to be notified to the Parliamentary Secretary and then the Election Commissioner, who will then Gazette the vacancy for the seat. We have a list of names that have been suggested, and Dhammika Perera is on that list,” Kariyawasam said. However, when The Morning contacted Perera, he said that his possible entry into Parliament was news to him, and that it is merely a rumour.


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