Sri Lanka former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return home on Aug 24

It’s back to normal in Sri Lanka as former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the country following protests against economic crisis in July is all set to return on August 24. Sri Lanka is still facing unprecedented economic crisis.

This was confirmed by former Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Rajapaksa’s cousin Udayanga Weeratunga, who said that the former President would return to the country.

“Gotabaya should return to the country and people will welcome him but he would not continue in politics as he is not suitable,” Weeratunga, who was critical of the role of Gotabaya as a President, told media.

After protesters stormed President’s house on July 9, Gotabaya left the palace and later fled to the Maldives and then to the Singapore. He later entered Thailand last week. However, no country was ready to provide asylum, nor any request thereof was made, according to local reports.

The Thailand government is the latest to deny reports that Rajapaksa had sought asylum there. The Thailand Foreign Ministry said it received a request from Rajapaksa to visit the country but no request for asylum was made.

“Thailand saw no problem with Rajapaksa entering on a diplomatic passport, which would allow him to stay 90 days,” Thailand Foreign Ministry had stated.