• Basil will take oaths as an SLPP National list MP on July 8

By JAMILA HUSAIN 

A tussle has erupted between the Rajapaksa family as Basil Rajapaksa prepares to enter Parliament on July 8 and thereafter enter the cabinet by getting a ministerial portfolio, the Daily Mirror learns. 

According to political sources, Basil has asked for the Finance portfolio which is held by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, but this has been rejected by the Prime Minister himself as well as his family. 

Basil will take oaths as an SLPP National list MP on July 8 following the resignation of Jayantha Ketagoda, and will soon receive his ministerial portfolio by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. But this portfolio is yet to be finalised as Basil has requested for Finance or something similar in power. 

The Daily Mirror learns that discussions are still ongoing among the Rajapaksa brothers and a decision will be made soon. According to reports, the portfolio of Economic Development was also being considered for Basil, a Ministry he held in the previous Rajapaksa government which was headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa. 
Earlier, a major rift had erupted within the government following reports that Basil will take oaths as an MP and will receive a ministerial portfolio. 

Some government coalition party members had objected to the move, citing Rajapaksa’s dual citizenship as a reason, and had voiced their disapproval to the President and Prime Minister. 

Meanwhile, speculation is rife that Jayantha Ketagoda who resigned from his MP seat will be appointed as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia, in compensation to him paving way for Basil to enter Parliament. However, this is yet to be officially confirmed. 

• According to reports, the portfolio of Economic Development was also being considered for Basil, a Ministry he held in the previous Rajapaksa government which was headed by Mahinda Rajapaksa