Dramatic! Sri Lanka human rights group asks govt to permit safe return of Gotabaya
The Family of Gotabaya Rajapakse, now living aboard, is entitled to the protection of the law to a safe return to the country.
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Colombo, Aug 23: Ahead of Gotabaya Rajapaksa's return to Sri Lanka, a rights group said the government should provide protection to the former president and his family. Rajapaksa had relinquished power after a series of violent protests amid an unprecedented economic crisis in the country.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has recommended that the govt takes all necessary steps to assess the threat situation and provide the former president with security protection provided under the law. "The Family of Gotabaya Rajapakse, now living aboard, is entitled to the protection of the law to a safe return to the country," the HRCSL said.
This recommendation comes as Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) last week sought protection for Gotabaya, who is expected to return to the island nation this week. Gotabaya's brother Mahinda Rajapaksa led-SLPP put forward the demand in a meeting with the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe and requested the President to ensure Gotabaya Rajapaksa is given safe passage into Sri Lanka.
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Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand last week following his departure from Singapore. He was granted entry into Thailand following a request from the Sri Lankan govt. He left Singapore after nearly a month's stay. 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.
