Basil attends Parliament

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament and remained in the chamber for about 25 minutes.

He was seen seated in the front row of the government. He later left the chamber around 10.45 am.

Parliament sources said that he attended the party leaders’ meeting starting around 2 pm. However, while the meeting was in progress, Basil Rajapaksa walked out of the meeting, sources said.

Speaking to journalists while leaving the party leaders’ meeting, Rajapaksa said the President and Prime Minister had invited anyone from other political parties to step forward.

Asked to comment on some MPs of the ruling alliance announcing their decision to function as independent MPs in the House, Basil Rajapaksa said that the SLPP too had been an independent party since its inception.