Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s brother Basil Rajapaksa has attempted to leave the country. Immigration officials on Tuesday called off operations as former minister Basil Rajapaksa attempted to leave the country, Sri Lankan media house Daily Mirror reported. Basil Rajapaksa was to go to Washington via Dubai. Passengers also protested against Basil at the airport.
Basil Rajapaksa was on his way to board a flight to Dubai and was stopped by immigration officials, after which Basil Rajapaksa had to return. There is a long queue of protesters outside Rashtrapati Bhavan and people continue to move inside Rashtrapati Bhavan.
At the same time, the demand for bicycles has increased in Sri Lanka amid the shortage of fuel in the country. Passengers no longer want to stand in queues. A passenger told news agency ANI, “We cannot buy petrol and cannot tolerate the time taken in queues. Even standing in queues does not assure getting petrol. Many people have turned to cycles and public transport.”
Voting for the post of President in Sri Lanka will be held on 20 July. Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa will resign on 13 July. Sri Lankan media quoted Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abhayawardene as saying that nominations for the presidency would be held by 18 July and the presidential vote would be held on 20 July.
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was taken to an airport near the main international airport on Monday, fueling speculation that he would flee abroad, news agency AFP reported. On July 9, President Rajapaksa fled the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Colombo under the security of marines before thousands of protesters stormed the building. He was last seen on 5 July.
On the other hand, veteran Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has expressed hope that after a stable government, all friendly countries will help Sri Lanka. Talking to news agency ANI, he said that after a stable government, IMF, India and all friendly countries will help Sri Lanka. He said that India has been very helpful and helpful since the beginning of the crisis and we are grateful to them.
