After Weeratunga's emotional lead about Gotabaya's return to Lanka, Rajapaksa applies for US Green Card

Colombo, Aug 19: Former President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the island nation in July amid mass protests demanding his resignation, is presently awaiting to obtain a US green card to return back to the United States along with his wife and son. Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, who is also related to Gotabaya, had earlier hinted that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is all set to return back to Sri Lanka on Aug 24.

 

 

 

 

Merely a day after Udayanga Weeratunga revealed that there are strong chances of Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return back to Sri Lanka next week, cancelling his initial plan to remain in Thailand at least till November, there are now media reports coming from Sri Lanka that the former Sri Lankan President is now seeking US Green card for himself, along with his wife and son. According to the reports, after consulting his lawyers two days back, Rajapaksa had decided to return back to Sri Lanka later this month.

 

 

However, it is now being known that Rajapaksa's lawyers in the United States had already commenced the procedure last month for his application to obtain the Green Card as he was eligible to apply due to his wife Loma Rajapaksa, since she is a US citizen. The procedure will also involve his lawyers in Colombo submitting the additional documents. Upon his arrival in Bangkok, Thai police had advised the former Sri Lankan President to remain indoors for security reasons whereas, on his arrival in Sri Lanka this month, the cabinet will discuss providing Rajapaksa a state house and security accorded to a former President.

 

 

 

 

 

Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand on the evening of Aug 11 following his departure from Singapore after a month-long stay. Thailand was the second Southeast Asian country after the Maldives that Rajapaksa is seeking temporary shelter after fleeing his island nation last month amid mass protests. The former president was issued a 14-day visit pass when he arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore from the Maldives last month and he was allowed to stay there for two weeks. After the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as President of Sri Lanka on Jul 21 in Parliament.