Major rift in Govt. due to possible entry by Basil?

A major rift has erupted within the government following reports that Basil Rajapaksa will take oaths as an MP early next month and will thereafter receive a ministerial portfolio, the Daily Mirror learns.

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

Sources said reports had surfaced that Rajapaksa was likely to be appointed as the Minister of Economic Development, a portfolio newly created for him and the one he held in the previous Rajapaksa government.

Although there were earlier suggestions that he will also take over as Finance Minister, this has been shot down, since Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to keep this responsibility. Certain entities under the Finance Ministry, on the other hand, are likely to be shifted to the new portfolio. While Basil was scheduled to acquire his Cabinet portfolio after taking the oath as an MP early next month, the step may be postponed due to strong opposition from some party members.

Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka last week after spending nearly a month in the United States. He is now the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication.