Basil steps into Sri Lanka at 1.45 today

Basil steps into Sri Lanka at 1.45 today

Whatever arresting is.... welcoming ceremonies!

Former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa, brother of ex-President Mahinda arrived in the

island at 1.45 in the afternoon. It was on Emirates flight number EK 348 coming from Dubai.

Though there were rumours earlier that he would be taken into custody, what happens today is that several celebrations were observed with much applause by Mahinda supporters welcoming his arrival where he was called in to join.

Whatever it is, Basil Rajapaksa would be going to the Bribery and Corruption Commission and giving a statement on matters concerning bribery and corruption, in the next few days. As he had extended his holidays with the parliament, he would be going to parliament to record his arrival.

It was also understood that because of Basil's arrival, admittance to visitors to the arrival lounge at Katunayaka International Airport was temporarily not permitted. However, the departure lounge operates without any change.

Basil's welcoming celebrations were organised by Nimal Lansa. There was a large crowd displaying banners supporting Basil seen outside the airport premises. In fact it was without anybody's notice that Basil left the island after the past defeat at the general election. But there were criticisms aimed at him by his own Party that he was responsible for Mahinda's defeat.

He goes into annals of history as the Minister who was in charge of projects with the biggest value in Sri Lanka, being in charge of the subject of economic development. Among the projects for which he put his hands into is the Port City Project, Packer's Casino Gambling Project and Divi Neguma Project which created a sensation in Sri Lanka.