Government sources say there is a plan to appoint Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse as Foreign Minister at the next cabinet reshuffle.

Rohitha Bogollagama, who defected to the government from the UNP, was appointed as the Foreign Minister after Mahinda Rajapakse assumed office.

After his appointment as Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama made many foreign tours accompanied by his family, and a large number of friends and relatives.

The media has continuously highlighted the massive expenditure of public funds during these foreign tours. There was also a decline in the country’s Foreign Service.
The President who protected Rohitha Bogollagama in such a backdrop had recently criticized his actions. The incident was given much publicity in weekly newspapers. It is now believed that the next step would be to replace Rohitha Bogollagama by appointing the President’s brother Basil Rajapakse as Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, it is also reported that the President might remove Anura Priyadarhsana Yapa as Media Minister and keep the portfolio under him while permitting Lakshaman Yapa to continue as the Non Cabinet Minister.