SLPP at cross-purposes over support for the Budget
"What would happen to the Budget?' is the new topic in the political arena. The subject has come up for discussion after Minister Namal Rajapaksa said he would support the Budget only if concessions were given to the people.
Recently, a group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs held a meeting at Namal Rajapaksa’s residence and it was decided that Namal Rajapaksa should seek advice from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the party's virtual head honcho Basil Rajapaksa, before taking a decision on voting at the upcoming Budget.
On Wednesday, Namal Rajapaksa met his father, Mahinda Rajapaksa. He told his father he needed to think about supporting the Budget, if the government failed to provide relief to people.
However, Mahinda Rajapaksa, being the veteran politician, advised his son “Yes, it is good to take an independent decision as a Member of Parliament, but you should research more about this. You have to ask everyone about this. Meet party leaders and former finance ministers and get an idea.”
Namal Rajapaksa said he too was working on a programme, where he would visit houses,to meet party elders, professionals, former Central Bank governors and finance secretaries.
While former President Mahinda Rajapaksa mentors his son for future leadership, the party also marked its seventh anniversary, and held a pirith chanting event at the party head office. SLPP leaders such as Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Namal Rajapaksa and party General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam attended.