Gotabaya is returning to Sri Lanka on 'Saturday'

Gotabaya is returning to Sri Lanka on 'Saturday

Gotabaya is returning to Sri Lanka on 'Saturday

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakse is going to end his voluntary exile in Thailand. He is returning to his country tomorrow Saturday. The news agency AFP reported information about a senior Sri Lankan defense official.

 73-year-old Gotabaya fled the country to the Maldives on July 13 in the face of unprecedented economic crisis and widespread protests in Sri Lanka. A day later Rajapakse left the Maldives for Singapore. He went to Thailand from Singapore on August 11. Currently there.

A Sri Lankan defense official told AFP on Friday that he (Gotabaya) was staying in a hotel in Thailand like a de facto prisoner and was eager to return home. We are told that he will return home early Saturday morning.

The official, who did not wish to reveal his name, further said, "We have already formed a new security team to ensure his safety after returning to the country on Saturday. " This team is made up of army and police commandos.

Sri Lanka's constitution provides for former presidents to be provided with government housing, cars and bodyguards.

Rajapakse went to Thailand after his 28-day visa in Singapore expired. However, security authorities in Bangkok advised him not to step out of the hotel for his safety.

Gotabaya got a 90-day visa to stay in Thailand. But now he has decided to return home with his wife, bodyguard and another associate, said the official.

Ranil Wickremesinghe became the new president of Sri Lanka after the ouster of Gotabaya. Gotabaya's younger brother and former finance minister Basil met Ronil last month. He requested the current president to take measures to ensure that the former president can return to the country safely.