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GR to return to SL in 3 months as options run out

11 August 2022 09:15 am - 45     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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- Will travel to Thailand today on a 90 day visa on arrival

- Thai PM says GR given entry on humanitarian grounds

- SL govt. makes appeal to Thai govt. for GR

- GR refrains from seeking asylum in Middle East after no positive response

- Will return to SL in Nov. as Thai visa ends

- Travel expenses borne by Manoj Rajapaksa

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will return back to Sri Lanka in November after his 90 day Thai visa runs out, and as he runs out of options to receive temporary shelter in another country, the Daily Mirror learns.

Political sources said that Rajapaksa will leave Singapore today and visit Thailand where he will stay for 90 days on a visit visa and he had not sought asylum in any country.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan O Cha yesterday confirmed to foreign media that Rajapaksa would be granted entry into Thailand on humanitarian grounds and they had been promised that it was only a temporary stay.

The Sri Lankan government had directly made an appeal on behalf of the ousted President and sought permission to allow Rajapaksa to seek temporary shelter in Thailand.

From the time Rajapaksa left Colombo last month for the Maldives, the Sri Lankan government has been in touch with the Maldives, Singapore and now the Thailand government, making arrangements for Rajapaksa to remain in those countries temporarily.

However as the 90 day Thai visa runs out in November, political sources said that Rajapaksa will return back to Sri Lanka as he was a Sri Lankan citizen and had all the legal right to remain in the country.

The Daily Mirror also learns that the multiple costs for the Rajapaksas to flee from the country was borne by himself and his son Manoj Rajapaksa and no state funds had been utilized thus far except for the Air Force flight that was used to transport him and his wife from Colombo to Male last month.

The Rajapaksas, with their high connections overseas, also have rich businessmen who are funding the former President's accommodation. It is still unclear what accommodation arrangements have been made in Thailand for Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife.

Although several attempts had been made for Rajapaksa to seek asylum in the Middle East, he had not received any favourable response which is why a decision has now been taken for him to return back to Sri Lanka in November. (JAMILA HUSAIN)


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  Comments - 45

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  • Terrence Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:30 AM

    You ruined the livelihoods of the public and have many cases against you and now you want to return like nothing has happened no one will welcome u

    Shan Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:31 AM

    BS- Mahinda Rajapaksa is running the entire show, if money in offshore accounts with Nirupama and Nadasen. Maina is the god father, and all will kiss his ring.

    Thambi Vijay Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:35 AM

    Money spent by him and his son are still Money that belonged to people of Sri Lanka.( daily mirror rarely publishes my comments; reasons unknown)

    Chryshan K Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:42 AM

    Every person in this world has a country to stay except Gota. He is not welcomed anywhere anymore. If he returns he knows what he is looking for. Better go to jail than lock himself at home heavily guarded around.

    P. Soma Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:52 AM

    The legal process on gota will definitely book him a place in Govt. boarding.

    D S de Silva Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:06 AM

    Why is the GOSL is trying to help this rascal stay in other countries. He needs to organise his own, why should the state and the tax payers worry about his stay in any country? As for the funds its all stolen money thats been spent, nothing that they have earned. Don't be fooled , any Rajapakse that spends money on any thing are all stolen money from the innocent people of Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka the due place for all Rajapakse's are the jail.

    Citizen k Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:07 AM

    Agree with Thambi Vijay all money spent belongs to citizens of Sri Lanka including his so called benefictors.

    Roisin Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:08 AM

    Namal will be elected as the president of Sri Lanka within the next ten years. Look at the Philippines. People will never learn.

    freddy foxx Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:35 AM

    Treated as a tyrant for 2.5 years, now being given the Pariah dog treatment. See that he comes back with the stolen dollars.

    Aney Apoy API Modai Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:38 AM

    DM Promoting this nothing News because your Beloved, and Rajapaksha protectionist Ranil is now president and corrupt can rule again? After all you DM journalists are paid by Ranil’s brother, what other news can you expect?

    Gama saha Pilisandara. Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:42 AM

    Why no options for Gota, what about Uganda, Nigeria, Abysiniya, Ethiopia and even Afghanistan ?

    Ceylonese Thursday, 11 August 2022 10:57 AM

    Imagine how nailed and foolish the majority of Sri Lankans are to elect a modaya like Gota as a president?

    Punchi Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:24 AM

    In 2015 FBI reported to Ranil that GR’s Don returning from Lanka six times at LA airport declared USD 20,000 in cash and suggested investigating if this cash was declared as required when departing at Katunayake airport each time. RW buried this likely plunder to protect his friends the Rajapakses

    sam Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:28 AM

    If he has not looted the country there is no reason for him to be on the run.

    Mizaru Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:30 AM

    On the run and options run out. Nice. May I suggest North Korea.

    Tissa Fernando Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:50 AM

    I do not hold Gota responsible for the current economic situation. This was a problem that has been developing for 70 years and covid pandemic excellarated it. Gota was there to take the fall. I do not buy the fact that one person could be responsible for all issues in the country.

    Sena Thursday, 11 August 2022 04:21 PM

    @Tissa Fernando, you must be the dumbest person in SL.

    Raj Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:40 PM

    Gota was not fit to become President. He does not have a political a umen and or experience to run a country. The decisions made by him arbitrarily ran down the govt income. So covid was not the real reason. Incapable person as a whole

    LankanLover Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:54 AM

    He could have just resigned and stayed back faced the consequences simply with some Dignity, instead of flying country to country begging for asylum.

    Yahapala Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:30 PM

    When GR back in Sri Lanka he must answer in which way he earned the black money of Rupees 1,7 billon the protester's fond in his palace.

    Sam T Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:31 PM

    Ranil was appointed as the SL president by the god father of SL corruption, Mahinda, under the agreement to protect and look after moron Gota. So Ranil is not capable and also will never ever going to take any actions to provide any solution to SL's economic crisis. He just wants spend his final years of life as the president with the help of dodgy Rajapaksha family.

    Kawantissa R Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:38 PM

    It should be will be Ranja out. Gota in.

    man about town Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:43 PM

    Seeing that smirk on this bastards face only reminds me of a Hollywood movie 'catch me if you can',

    Lankan Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:47 PM

    Mr. Tissa Fernando, GR alone may not be the reason for Sri Lanka's current situation, but was given an opportunity (

    Praja Pathirana Thursday, 11 August 2022 12:52 PM

    Tissa Fernando must be born last year. Gotta, you are welcome to Uganda

    Aquarius Thursday, 11 August 2022 02:45 PM

    Surprised that a comment says that Gota was the fall guy. Does it mean that Rajapakse's are clean and never looted peoples money? They and their henchmen have to pay the ultimate price - end in jail for their corrupt actions.

    LankanLover Thursday, 11 August 2022 03:46 PM

    To Mr.Tissa Fernando : Yes you are right, you do not buy the fact the one person could be the reason for this entire fall, but the entire family of his are the responsible! of course we cant blame him alone but his regime!

    Vadivelu Yogaratnam Thursday, 11 August 2022 03:54 PM

    Curse of all those People killed unlawfully buried not going to allow him have a sound sleep for the rest of his life karma.

    G Thursday, 11 August 2022 04:17 PM

    We are very peaceful without you around, unless you want to come back and open a can of worms...

    G Thursday, 11 August 2022 04:17 PM

    We are very peaceful without you around, unless you want to come back and open a can of worms...

    sam Thursday, 11 August 2022 04:26 PM

    If you have done no wrong you can come anytime, why worry

    D.B.L. Arangala Thursday, 11 August 2022 04:27 PM

    Given its fine climate plus low cost of living, Gotha's chuminess with other dictators, should help him to settle åermanently in Siberia which too is in need of dollars. Patriot putha

    True Lankan Thursday, 11 August 2022 05:12 PM

    Apart from his failure as a politician, he is a hero to Sri Lanka for erradicting LTTE terrorism. He deserved to live a peaceful live as here as a failed politician. Everybody is not the king of all trade.

    Justice Thursday, 11 August 2022 06:00 PM

    @ True Lankan- he carpet bombed the innocent men,women and children and the Militants. It’s like bombing whole of Pettah to eradicate 25 drug peddlers. Understood ?

    Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 11 August 2022 08:28 PM

    Buddhism and Hinduism believe in Karma, all have to face it.

    Mind is a Devils workshop Thursday, 11 August 2022 08:44 PM

    Why is he short of dollars or he wants to take away the dollars in his possession.

    Anne Karunaratne Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:07 PM

    He will be back in Sri Lanka someday but he should be arrested on arrival. Not only him, what about MR and BR and all those who are responsible for making the entire nation to suffer today????? Why are they still free to roam around the country???!!!

    Sinna Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:40 PM

    We raised him to execute presidency,we expect he would do as he had promised in his manifesto,but due to pressure from brothers BR and MR and some others he lost common touch, they wanted to loot as much as possible while keeping him in guard, 9th of July you left the country accepting you are not in a position to turn around economy, but you left without hurting anybody.but his decision to keeping savage RW in power is inexcusable error,but we, a segment of Srilankan society do not any have objection regarding your return to country, in other words’we welcome you’

    Ranjit Friday, 12 August 2022 01:36 AM

    On humanitarian grounds-does the Thai PM knows the meaning of it.

    Venom Friday, 12 August 2022 06:04 AM

    This Covid Variant is deadlier then all the other variants put-together. So be aware and don't ever let him in!!!

    Jayantha Friday, 12 August 2022 08:00 AM

    Should have freedom to live here.

    Marakanda Palabedda Friday, 12 August 2022 10:11 AM

    We are awaiting to welcome you again!! RW will put you a garland around the neck!! Do you have any underpants? They are in Colombo? Kappam Raja Aprasanna, Paga Banda, Seeni Hora, Ethanol distributor nd many others want you!!

    Colt 45 Friday, 12 August 2022 11:42 PM

    Anne - you are certainly correct, however Gota, Malinda, Basil and even dimwit Namal know how to set up off-shore corporations in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Seychelles (to name a few locations) that receive the million $$ kickbacks from the Hambantota Port, Mattala Airport, Port City and the Chinese Highway Projects. These companies are run by stooges who take orders from other crooks who are perhaps a little closer to the Rajapaksas whose hands are clean. If at all possible, it will take years of investigation to connect the money to the Rajapaksas. By then GR, MR and BR will all be dead and Namal, who is basically an almost innocent beneficiary, will be running for President. Sad but probably true.

    Colt 45 Saturday, 13 August 2022 12:01 AM

    Tissa , I grudgingly have to agree with you. Yes Gota was not alone but it was his ignorance, stupidity and mismanagement (tax cut, organic fertiliser, etc.) that finally brought down the corrupt and bankrupt system that had been in operation for years under the guise of (Chinese)democracy.

    Sam Sen Thursday, 18 August 2022 07:48 AM

    For True Lankan: Gota was not the one to bring the war with LTTE to end. Gota himself gave statements several time that seven countries got together to eliminate LTTE. LTTE was in the first place was the child of Sinhala racism and failure by successive governments to accommodate all citizens equally. Gota was a guy who ran away to USA in the middle of his carrier and settled down there. He also did or caused to do all heinous crimes raping and bombing of innocent Tamil civilians in a massive scale. What he goes through now is Gods ruling for all sins he did. There is no chance for bouncing back. He is going to die like a mad dog with no one there for mourning....except those benefited from the loot.


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