Basil resigns; claims no responsibility for downfall of economy

Former Finance Minister and Sri Lanka Podhujana Peramuna (SLPP)  National list Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa, handed over his resignation letter to the Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake today (09).

He was elected to the Ninth Parliament from the National List on July 08, 2021, representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna as a Member of Parliament. He then served as the Minister of Finance for several months.

He has been a member of parliament twice before. 

Addressing a press conference after he tendered his resignation letter, Mr Rajapaksa said that he was not responsible for the downfall of the economy and the sharp drop in the country's foreign reserves.

He further added that he became a member of Parliament a few months back via the national list according to a decision taken by Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna.  Mr Rajapaksa added that afterwards, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed him as the finance minister.

A few weeks back he too resigned from his portfolio when cabinet ministers apart from then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from their portfolios.

He said that the majority of the people are expecting a system change not a change of people. Mr Rajapaksa explained that he was satisfied that he worked according to his capacity as the Minister of Finance and admitted that he was unable to meet the people’s expectations.

He claimed that the economy had fallen due to past government actions such as more loans and denied that the economy had its worst fall during his term as Finance Minister.

He further elaborated that the economic crisis was there even before he became the Finance Minister. Mr Rajapaksa also denied that there were 7 billion foreign reserves when he became the Minister.