Basil’s silence for three months amidst dire economic situation causes uproar in Parliament for second day

By Saman Indrajith

Uproar in Parliament continued for the second day, yesterday, as Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa had not made a statement on the current economic crisis.

The SJB and JVP called on Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to summon Finance Minister Rajapaksa to make a statement. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said MPs didn’t want to just see the Finance Minister in Parliament but wanted him to make a statement on the economic crisis.

The Speaker said that he had no authority to summon a Minister to make a statement in Parliament. He called on the Opposition to propose a debate in Parliament to discuss the issue.

A heated exchange of words took place between the government and Opposition on the issue. A similar drama was enacted on Thursday as well over the absence of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa in the House for three months, despite the country facing a serious economic crisis.

During a heated exchange between the Opposition and the Government on Thursday, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said that the last time Minister Basil Rajapaksa made a speech in Parliament was 10 Dec. 2021.