Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne yesterday praised former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa as a politician who knew that there is a world beyond the shores of Sri Lanka. 

He made these remarks at the Cabinet briefing yesterday, responding to Rajapaksa's claims on returning lands to the people in the North. 

"It is a very positive statement. Former President Rajapaksa should have taken Basil's advice. Had he taken Basil's advice, he would have been in power today," Senaratne said. 

"Unfortunately, the former President only listened to Gotabaya. I've always said that Gotabaya was responsible for Rajapaksa's defeat in 2015," the Minister added. 

"That is why Mahinda has to do all sorts of things with a 'pohottu' party" the Cabinet spokesman said, directing his criticism at former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.