GR applies for US Green Card, looks to settle back in US

By CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA

18 August 2022 06:31 am - 53 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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- Will arrive back in Sri Lanka on Aug. 25

- GR's lawyers begin procedure to obtain Green Card

- Will be accorded all security as done to a former President upon his return

- Will remain in SL till Green Card approved and will then settle in US

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled the country last month amidst public protests calling for his resignation, is awaiting to obtain a US Green Card to return back to the United States and settle there with his wife and son, the Daily Mirror learns.

Highly placed sources said that Rajapaksa's lawyers in the United States had already begun the procedure last month for his application to obtain the Green Card as he was eligible to apply due to his wife Ioma Rajapaksa being a US citizen.

The procedure will also now involve his lawyers in Colombo submitting the additional documents here in order to go ahead with the procedure.

The former President who is presently in a hotel in Thailand along with his wife will return back to Sri Lanka on Aug. 25, cancelling his initial plan to remain in Thailand at least till November.

Sources said that two days ago, Rajapaksa had consulted his lawyers and had decided to return back to Sri Lanka later this month as he was not allowed the freedom to move in Thailand as initially expected, due to security concerns.

Upon his arrival in Bangkok, Thai police had advised the ousted President to remain indoors for security reasons.

Foreign Media reports said that at the hotel, the location of which has not been disclosed, plainclothes police officers from the Special Branch Bureau had been deployed to ensure the safety of Rajapaksa. Officials had asked the former Sri Lankan president to remain within the hotel during his stay in the country.

Upon his arrival back to Sri Lanka this month, the cabinet will discuss to provide Rajapaksa a state house and security accorded to a former President.

Rajapaksa fled for Maldives last month and thereafter to Singapore. He entered Singapore on a medical visa and had it extended twice to remain there as much as possible. As his visa could not be extended further, Rajapaksa and his wife left for Thailand and was assured he could remain there till he finalizes his third destination.

However with his movements now restricted in Thailand, he will return back to the country. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 53

Jaffna Tamil Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:08 AM

In the Western Countries when someone falls from power, his political enemies would go on hounding and harassing without any mercy until the person is totally destroyed physically and mentally. But we are NOT WHITES, we are Sri Lankans with the heart, let us not go on mentally torturing him even though he is not a good man. He is a human being, who had lost respect and credibility, now allow him to live his life in some peace.

Athula Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:01 PM

In western countries you wouldn't be able to get away with corruption, murder, nepotism to the extent that this family have committed in SL.

Spartacus Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:09 AM

So after all the patriotism, this bastard still wants to return and reside in USA. What a hoax these Rajapakse's have been to Sri Lanka. All the Chinese commissions transferred to USA. Hope USA denies this rascal a visa so that we can teach him a lesson locally.

Milt Gunaratne (attorney-at-law) Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:37 AM

Gota coming to SL is not a good sign, if he comes we could expect Aragalaya again and this time it will be worst.

Kamal Bolawansa Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:42 AM

It is better Gota should depart to USA or Uganda from Thailand than coming to SriLanka, this advise is for his own safety as the people never forgot the damage he did for our country.

Retired Lt. Col. H.R.D. Fernando Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:48 AM

Oh once again getting ready for the next Aragalaya-Phase 2, Country is in turmoil, we heard with the boiling crisis RW had arranged 600 Security personal to safeguard GR.

Dr. Lal Piyal Lesliie Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:53 AM

Even in SL you will have to be like a slave in-house like in Thailand. Better you go to Uganda as your robbed family wealth is there and you could spend your last days happily with your wife.

Anura Nanayakkara Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:53 AM

Yes, Sir !! We Srilankans will accept you with both arms.You tried your best to serve the country, but never got the proper advice from the people around you. Now it is in the history, have a safe and enjoyable retirement with your family.

Athula Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:07 PM

@Anura Nanayakkara, you must be the stupidest guy in SL. It is because of people like you that this country is in turmoil.

C Fernando Thursday, 18 August 2022 05:41 PM

Unbelievable that people like you still exist who worship these people even after all the suffering they have brought on an entire nation.

Lion Thursday, 18 August 2022 08:50 AM

He should be taken in and investigate the money he has invested in USA as to how he earned it .

Aragalaya Thursday, 18 August 2022 09:17 AM

It appears that Gota has been assured protection by Ranil to stay for ever in SL as US will not admit him there. In Thailand Gota is like under house arrest so life may be miserable,

Basil Perera Thursday, 18 August 2022 09:19 AM

This is all a drama being staged by the Jarapaksha's, on the pretext of getting the green card, after sometime Ranil Jarpaksha will hand over the reins of ruling Sri Lanka to Monster Gota

johan Thursday, 18 August 2022 09:26 AM

What about the MIG deal case pending against him?

Mahila Friday, 19 August 2022 05:18 AM

It ws in abeyance, because of the immunity, must and should be taken up during his stay in SL?? depends on the "Pliable" AG we have, like a plastic sheeting, very flexible even for slight nudging by the 'Pakshes'

Be Fair Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:09 AM

Dont want to fell sorry for the bloke. Thanks to him 22m people suffer now

Shivaji Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:12 AM

It's the green card, not green card lottery. The two are different.

senaka Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:31 AM

escaped to Maldives arrived in Singapore, extended stay in Singapore Arrived in Bangkok Returning on 24th August Manoj paid Govt.paid Govt. did not pay Applying for Green Card Can't this fellow who ruined this country just get lost, bothering us everyday with a new story. We have a country to rebuild, and a life to lead

Sam Sen Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:50 AM

He wants to go to SL not because of anything but because the PR application cannot be done while he is away from Sri Lanka. He has to apply only from Sri Lanka. Here too, they are trying to hide the truth. The people of SL should remember that if he goes out to USA, there will be no way to recover the looted money. Aragalaya should act on time.

Dayawathie Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:51 AM

He shouldn't have left in the first place. He left to avoid a blood bath in Sri Lanka.

Janathunga Palagedara Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:57 AM

Enjoy the Sri Lan Rupees in US$!! US billions/year for 10 yers!! What a wonderful Kalakanniya!!

Anne Karunaratne Thursday, 18 August 2022 11:05 AM

Can't we live without any news of this man??!!

Anne Karunaratne Thursday, 18 August 2022 11:06 AM

The type of news we hear about this man just makes the blood boil! It's better not to hear any news of him.

Nish Thursday, 18 August 2022 11:09 AM

Let's give him the opportunity to come back and face any legal or other proceedings within a proper legal framework. Let's also understand there are thousands of real thugs and heavily corrupted politicians and public servants living in SL with impunity. No problem no questions. Not a single of them has been successfully prosecuted? Where is CID in all of these; the most useless institution? At least Gotabaya di not order attacks on protesters.

Sena Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:20 PM

The only reason why he dare not order attacks was because the whole country was involved in the Aragalaya. That would have been suicidal. If it were a small minority, then no doubt the 'White Van' saga would have come back.

Andare Thursday, 18 August 2022 11:41 AM

US Green Card story may be a fabrication suggested by Ranil. They think that the protesters ill not object to GR' s return to SL if they are hoodwinked that GR will be settling down in the US later.

Mithula Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:10 PM

If the Aragalaya guys are arrested for minor things Ranil Rajapaksa has to arrest Gota as soon as he lands for creating a fuel shortage, gas shortage, food shortage and crippling our economy and thousand more a ligations.

Nimesh Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:18 PM

Silly comments threatening not to come, can't our forces fight unarmed a few thousand foreign funded aragalayaists?Nimalan of Diaspora says they funded the aragalaya, so no wonder about who are making these comments.

Gb Thursday, 18 August 2022 03:44 PM

You are whats wrong with sl, one of the 6.9m morons that voted for him, all the damage they have caused and your talking about using weapons on civilians??? U deserve the worst

Heh Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:34 PM

Singhalaya modaya Kumarthunga munidasa. It’s a very true statement

Mahesh Thursday, 18 August 2022 12:36 PM

Lol. So called patriotic but wants to goback to USA. This felow nicely fooled 69lakhs with patriotic propaganda. If someone says that he is a patriotic best thing is to arrest that fellow first and investigate.

Sarath weera Thursday, 18 August 2022 01:54 PM

Most of the Western government have set their strick immigration law, specially someone like Gota, can't even get turist visa to Western countries. He is a goat waiting to be punish for what did to Tamils. He can run where ever he likes, but no escape.

Gunadasa Thursday, 18 August 2022 02:07 PM

@Anura N, where were you living? As soon as GR came to power he threatened government officials to follow his instructions or leave their jobs. GR didn't want to heed advice from well qualified officials.

Jaffna Victim Thursday, 18 August 2022 02:29 PM

I am from the minority. Gota did lot of damages to our community. But we are prepared to forgive him. Let him stay in Sri Lanka. We should not object to that. God is there to punish him, if he has done any wrong doing. We should not take law into our own hands.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 18 August 2022 02:39 PM

Gotha, please move out of this country, which you have ruined. You marketed the war victory, achieved with the help of many countries and the soldiers who fought and sacrificed their lives, you enjoyed the plum of life on the war victory, today the disappeared parents grief has no answer.

මෝඩ සිංහලයො Thursday, 18 August 2022 02:48 PM

Gota going to the USA is an American conspiracy.

Sinna Thursday, 18 August 2022 03:26 PM

Gota should come,and live as a private citizen, facing law issues if there any, through out of his tenure as president, he wanted and tried to avoid baton or water cannon charges, when he cannot stop them, he left presidential house avoiding harming anybody, (do not expect that with RW),so why he is not coming, he is not coming to rule. But certainly our lives are miserable,childrens’ education turned topsy turvy, many lost their living, but his right of living here is his choice

Mizaru Thursday, 18 August 2022 03:37 PM

Will be interesting to see his employment history. Sri Lanka Army Officer, Computer salesman in Sri Lanka, Gas Station Attendant in USA, Clark in a department store in USA, Government Office in Sri Lanka and President of Sri Lanka. This shows the professionalism of Sri Lanka. Read Viyathmage.

TONI Thursday, 18 August 2022 04:46 PM

GOOD LUCK. BETTER SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE THE WAY YOU FAMILIAR WITH.

Claude silvera Thursday, 18 August 2022 05:19 PM

China man Dear Jaffana Tamil Who told you that western countries hound their ex politicians ? Non whites no heart ?? grandma told you ??? Why are these people all going to western countries and bad mouthing them. Good heart? Try Korea brother for green cards for a change.

Raj Thursday, 18 August 2022 05:39 PM

This is something I kept telling, RW govt was buying time and waiting for the right time to receive him back in SL, Gota made RW president, that's all the big thing to RW, if Gota is safeguarded in SL, that's automatically given guts to MR gang raise their head again!

Donald and Gota - they make a great pair Thursday, 18 August 2022 06:31 PM

What a brilliant idea! You’v got Donald Trump to keep you company!

Gamini Fonseca Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:23 PM

Once you return the green card, you can't apply for it again. Rajapaksha clan is lying to the public to reduce another flair up of the protesters. He was waiting until Ranil calmed things in Sri Lanka.

GHT Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:30 PM

A SAVIOUR, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, giving us back our Country to our FELLOW CITIZENS has every right to be back in Sri Lanka. We are proud of his coming back, we are also proud that the country we live in that the country that he was born.

Quolp Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:36 PM

In fact, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa ousted by the US Conspiracy, but disregarding that His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa determines to go back to the nation that outmaneuvered politically to destabilize Sri Lanka and its economy as well as people's power.

GIA LANKA Thursday, 18 August 2022 10:39 PM

USA TAX DEPARTMENT ( IRS ) MUST TRACK DOWN THE BILLIONS OF USD $$$ THIS CARY BALLA GOTABAYA HAS STASHED IN OVERSEAS BANK ACCOUNTS, THIS IS HOW HIS HUTHIGAY PUTHA SON

Patholaya Friday, 19 August 2022 12:52 AM

Both Trump and Gota won votes on ethno- religious rhetoric. Pseudo Patriots for the m- asses But one a millionaire spent money on politics and the other became millionaire on politics. One stayed and fought the other ran and was bought over. Give him back anyday Sri lanka needs a hero cardboard or not. Just need an excuse to vote for an American.

Janahitha Appuhamy Friday, 19 August 2022 02:45 AM

Back to 711 and service station petrol pump attendant job with millions of dollars from stolen funds!! Karma will follow you for all Rajapakshas.

Ceylonese Friday, 19 August 2022 05:17 AM

@Jaffna Tamil. First of all unlike in Sri Lanka In western countries the voters are very smart and you cannot fool them using religion racism etc. as a bait to come to power. Besides the people woudn't elect a leader who has a very poor criminal record who should be languishing in jail and not looking for asylum in a foreign country after looting the countrys wealth as the former President of Sri Lanka.

Jayasekera n j Friday, 19 August 2022 05:36 AM

Please i once again raise my concern, that this country does not belong to him, and take my word, RW, people are not going to keep quite, whats the meaninig of GOTA GO HOME, dont allow right now, the situation will turn to be a big war, also its a risk on him, he"s a rejected president, in other words, he was chased by the people, we do not have to give him any previlag. Ithiopia is the best place for him.

Demuni Uduwara Friday, 19 August 2022 05:49 AM

He has already been alleged for killings, misappropriation, corruption and Easter Sunday Attack etcetera. Before leaving for US he should receive "a No- Claim Certificate" from the government after allegations are over.

Ganesh Friday, 19 August 2022 06:23 AM

What goes around comes around. Made us suffer by locking down the country during covid. Forcefully quarantined people in hotels upon their return especially those who came from the ME, so his buddies could make money from quarantine hotels, antigen etc. dragged the country to its lowest. People are suffering and this bastard and his family our worried about their creature comforts. Had it been somewhere else you and you family may have been dragged on to the streets and shot.now reap what you have sowed.

Rukshan P Friday, 19 August 2022 07:23 AM

GR should never be considered an “Ex-President”. He ruined the country, sent it into bankruptcy and starvation then ran away like a common house thief with his stinking tail between his legs. He didn’t serve his term so should get no security or travel benefits paid from the coffers of hard working honest Sri Lankans. He is a disgrace to this proud country and like a common thief should be prosecuted or better yet, deported for life. Even a dirty street dog has more pride than someone like him.

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GR applies for US Green Card, looks to settle back in US

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