BR tries to duck IMF debate, MR gives nod

28 March 2022 08:23 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who has not attended Parliament for the past three months will finally have to attend sittings and face questions from legislators when the IMF debate is taken up for discussion in the first week of April following a nod given by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

The Daily Mirror learns that Basil had no intention of debating the IMF report and had even in the All Party Conference mentioned that it was only a draft that had been readied by the IMF and this was subject to change.

However senior sources said that with the IMF now making the report on Sri Lanka public, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had called for an immediate debate in Parliament on the IMF report.

There was no response from Basil Rajapaksa on Wickremesinghe's request, but once the matter came to the attention of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa he had instructed Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando to set a date for the debate so that all MPs can raise their concerns.

Senior sources told Daily Mirror it was also a way of getting Basil to attend a parliamentary sitting and address the concerns raised by the opposition.

Senior sources said that Basil had refused to discuss the matter with the opposition MPs and his absence from Parliament even at this crucial juncture was not going well even with government MPs who were questioning why he remained absent for the past three months.

Basil had gone into denial mode to share the IMF report when Wickremesinghe, during the All Party Conference, had requested for it to be presented in Parliament and this behaviour had later got Basil a stern warning from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was angry at Basil's conduct during the APC.

Meanwhile, putting rumours to rest that the IMF report was released to the public without the consent of the government, Central Bank Governor Ajith Cabraal told Daily Mirror last night that the report was released after the Sri Lankan authorities gave permission. He said therefore there was no need to raise objections with the global body.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 18

sunil Monday, 28 March 2022 10:36 AM

what a freaking democracy this is, PM has to give permission to FM to attend parliament God save this country

gamini Monday, 28 March 2022 10:37 AM

BR will need a translator to understand the IMF report

sunil Monday, 28 March 2022 10:38 AM

aiya giving permission to mali to attend parliament, is this their family business

varuna Monday, 28 March 2022 11:00 AM

@ Sunil - you should have realised this long ago. It's better late than never!

Tony Monday, 28 March 2022 12:06 PM

I agree. These guys do not know how to run a country. But very good at looting it. Just look at the state the Country today.

Critical Monday, 28 March 2022 10:51 AM

Rajapakshas have no hearts. They are still trying to make capital out of our sufferings. The country is paying for their past sins.

Kikazaru Monday, 28 March 2022 11:21 AM

I am sure Basil can not understand the details of the IMF report. As mentioned by Gammanpila, Basil has a low IQ. He will sure evade he debate. A debate on a important topic like the IMF report will not be understood by the majority in the present parliament. The date set April 01 speaks to itself.

Lan Monday, 28 March 2022 11:21 AM

It is pathetic to note that he did not attend the Parliament for 3 months and yet, how could he be a financial minister. Sri Lanka has got any economists who could become a vibrant financial minister and yet, this man without a degree in finance has become a financial minister. What a shame for this country and what a shame for our politics. Who is doing all this for this 22 million Sri Lankans? what crime they have done?

Aquarius Monday, 28 March 2022 11:24 AM

BR, the Minister of Finance, does not wish to attend parliament and face questioning on the economic status of the country because of IMF report, Indian loans etc. etc. This is a joke and SL is now worse than a banana republic.

Ranjan Monday, 28 March 2022 11:27 AM

Its time a General Knowledge question paper and a Mental IQ test be taken before he enters back to parliament. After all its all the masses who are suffering today.

Tax Payer Monday, 28 March 2022 11:36 AM

How is a man conversent only in Sinhala residing in the USA as a Permanent citizen there ? Only thing he must be having money (US Dollars) taken from SL to float there .

vince Monday, 28 March 2022 11:38 AM

If he brings up kaputas once more I will FFFF him up real good. Perhaps that is the limit of his intellect, the reason why he does not attend parliament. They should dock his attendance allowance paid by us..

Patriot Monday, 28 March 2022 11:46 AM

Family rule destroys a country, according to PM Modi 's speech during recent elections

Punchi Banda Monday, 28 March 2022 11:48 AM

The mighty Demilo Gary Anandasagaree MP in some riding in Canada and other Demilos have written to the IMF to avoid giving any money to rescue our buddhist supremacist culture and regime in our buddha blessed paradise. Other Demilos have done the same. The IMF medicine is going to be bitter. Not taking the medicine is severe doom, starvation and gloom.

Turmoil Monday, 28 March 2022 11:48 AM

At this rate Basil may abandon the Finance Portfolio and flee to his home country unannounced.?

Mathan Monday, 28 March 2022 02:46 PM

Dr NM Perera, the great Finance minister that this country has ever seen must be rolling in the grave to see the performance of the Finance Minister of the day.

Moh Sleiman Tuesday, 29 March 2022 05:46 AM

Guys tell us one RAJAPAKHSA member who is EDUCATED?

Kaark Kaark Tuesday, 29 March 2022 07:03 AM

He's been too busy with Kaputa Hit Squard!!!

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BR tries to duck IMF debate, MR gives nod

Comments - 18

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