Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s Attempt To Flee Sri Lanka Dashed; Know Why

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Colombo: Former Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s attempt to flee to Dubai has been dashed after immigration officers refused to clear him.

“Immigration and emigration officers withdrew from operations in the ‘Silk Route’ lounge at the BIA when former Minister Basil Rajapaksa attempted to leave Sri Lanka. Rajapaksa was to fly to Washington via Dubai,” Sri Lanka-based Daily Mirror reported.

Basil Rajapaksa, brother of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, tried to fly out on Tuesday morning from the VIP terminal at Colombo international airport but people at the airport recognised him and objected to him leaving the country.

Immigration officers too refused to clear him at the VIP departure lounge.

He reached the check-in counter at 12.15 am and stayed there till 3.15 am before leaving the airport, according to reports.

“Given the unrest in Sri Lanka, immigration officers are under tremendous pressure to not allow top-level people from leaving the country,” K A S Kanugala, Chairman, Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers Association, told Reuters.