If you're using the system perl, use your systems package management tool to install modules. Some distros split perl into various packages, often reomving core stuff, while still calling it 'perl', which causes issues/confusion.

corelist File::Basename will tell you that File::Basename has been a core module since perl v5. corelist -a File::Basename will expand on this.

"I tried using the suggested `force install` command, which seems to have installed perl5.28.0 alongside my existing stuff."

If you did this with sufficient privileges you may have just you may have replaced your perl v5.8.8 with v5.28.0. perl -v will show you.

I find it simpler just to leave the system perl alone, installing my own version elsewhere on the system.