President blocks Basil’s disaster management committee

The President had blocked a meeting organized by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa last Tuesday evening at 4.30 p.m. at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss and decide on the steps to be taken to address the flood threat in the country, it is learnt.

A large number of government and non governmental organization heads had received invitation to attend the meeting organized by Basil on disaster management.

However, the President was informed of the meeting by First Son Namal Rajapaksa as soon as he arrived in the country that morning.

  Acting immediately, the President had requested Additional Presidential Secretary Gamini Senarath to request all those who have been invited for the discussion by Basil to attend the meeting at Temple Trees instead of the Presidential Secretariat.

The Presidential order resulted in the cancellation of Basil’s meeting and instead, the President held a meeting at 5.30 p.m. at Temple Trees to discuss the floods and managing the disaster.

Interestingly, head of the Gampaha District, Basil was a notable absentee at the meeting. Gampaha District was one of the worst affected by the floods.

Meanwhile, the President had ordered his staff not to permit the holding of any meeting at the Presidential Secretariat without receiving prior permission from his Private Secretary and son Namal Rajapaksa.