• If he had come to Parliament earlier, he could have actively mediated to resolve current issues of the country   

By Ajith Siriwardana

While claiming that it was too late for Basil Rajapaksa to enter parliament, State Minister Susil Premajayantha said yesterday if he had come to Parliament earlier, he could have actively mediated to resolve the issues faced by the country right now.  

He told a news conference that there was a big commotion about Basil Rajapaksa entering parliament and said it was not a big issue.  

Minister Premajayantha said Basil Rajapaksa played a key role during the period of war having entered parliament in 2007 when the war had reached its peak. 

  “He played an active role during the war and after the war. He took the responsibility of providing logistic services such as health services during the war. He also actively engaged in developing Northern Province after the war. He built 200 schools there. He also mediated to build the Kinniya bridge. He performed duties entrusted to him with an organised plan,” he said.   He said some people were bothered about which ministerial portfolio would be given to Basil Rajapaksa and added that it was up to the President to decide on it as per the provisions of the Constitution.