UPFA Parliamentarian and former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena indicated that former minister Basil Rajapaksa was effectively resigning from politics.

Rajapaksa has told Gunawardena during a phone conversation that he was disappointed and had ‘no intention’ of returning to politics. However, Gunawardena said Rajapaksa did not specifically say that he was resigning from politics.

It is learned that Rajapaksa has no intention of returning to the country in the near future.

Basil Rajapaksa unsuccessfully contested for the 1977 General Election from Mulkirigala Electorate under the SLFP ticket. Later he joined the UNP but left the country after impeachment against President Ranasinghe Premadasa was defeated. He was elected to parliament in 2010, entering the parliament from Gampaha District under the UPFA ticket. He was also appointed National Organizer of the SLFP.

After his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated in the presidential election held on January 8, 2015, Basil Rajapaksa left for the United States.