Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who resigned from his parliamentary seat on Thursday (9), is expected to leave for the US shortly without a date for his return to the country any time soon, it is learnt.
Rajapaksa’s wife, Pushpa Rajapaksa, had left for the US last week prior to the handing over of the resignation letter to Parliament.
Addressing the media soon after his resignation, Rajapaksa said that he and his wife frequently travelled to the US since their family – children and grandchildren – reside there. Both Rajapaksa and his wife are dual citizens.
However, the former Minister, who is also the Founder and National Organiser of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), observed that he would continue to engage in party politics by engaging in further building the party. He noted that there were no plans as yet to form a new political force. “But I say that you should not be afraid to think afresh.”
When asked if he would return to the country, Rajapaksa said: “I might have to return.”
He added that he would return to active politics if there was such a request from the people. “My departure may not be a permanent one. I will return if the people ask me to return.”
