Ketagoda makes way for Basil

On Jul 6, 2021

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has nominated Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation Presidential Task Force Head and former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of MP Jayantha Ketagoda, the National Election Commission (NEC) said.

He said the relevant Gazette would be sent for publication today after a meeting of the NEC.

SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam told the media that SLPP Founder and strongman Basil Rajapaksa would be sworn in as a Member of Parliament tomorrow. Rajapaksa is tipped to be appointed as a new Cabinet Minister and he is to be assigned responsibilities related to finance and economic development.

He held the Economic Development Ministerial post from 2010 to 2015 in the Cabinet of former President (incumbent Prime Minister) Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government. The SLPP backbenchers recently urged the former Minister to come back to Parliament to support the Government endeavours. SLPP National List MP Jayantha Ketagoda yesterday resigned from his Parliamentary seat to make way for former Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Ketagoda was first elected to Parliament in 2000 representing the Colombo District.

Speaking to the media after handing over his resignation letter to Parliament Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake at the Parliament Complex, Ketagoda said that he was happy to give his seat to former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who is known for his organizing skills and political astuteness. He said Rajapaksa is a political personality who must be in Parliament.

Parliament Secretary General yesterday officially informed the Election Commission Chairman that a vacancy has been created in Parliament.