BreakingFeaturedTrending Story

Sri Lanka’s president blocked at airport as he tries to flee

189

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka Tuesday endured an humiliating standoff with airport immigration staff blocking his exit to safety abroad.

Mr Rajapaksa and his wife spent the night at a military base next to the main international airport, officials said.

The 73-year-old leader fled his official residence in Colombo just before tens of thousands of protesters overran it on Saturday, Per Second News gathered.

As president, Mr Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from arrest. It is believed he wanted to go abroad before stepping down to avoid the possibility of being detained.

He has promised to resign on Wednesday and clear the way for a  peaceful transition of power  — but became stuck in his own country on Tuesday after an attempt to flee.

Immigration officers refused to go to the VIP suite to stamp his passport, while he insisted he would not go through the public facilities, fearing reprisals from other airport users.

Mr Rajapaksa’s youngest brother, Basil — who resigned in April as finance minister — missed his flight early on Tuesday after a similar standoff with airport staff.

Basil Rajapaksa tried to use the paid concierge service for business travellers, but airport and immigration staff said they were withdrawing from the fast-track service with immediate effect.

“There were some other passengers who protested against Basil boarding their flight,” an airport official told AFP. “It was a tense situation, so he hurriedly left the airport.”

Basil, a US dual citizen, had to obtain a new passport after leaving his behind at the presidential palace when the Rajapaksas left to avoid mobs on Saturday, a diplomatic source said.

Official sources said a suitcase full of documents had also been left behind at the stately mansion along with 17.85 million rupees ($50,000) in cash, now in the custody of a Colombo court.

There was no official word from the president’s office about his whereabouts, but he remained commander-in-chief of the armed forces with military resources at his disposal.

One option still open to him would be to take a navy vessel to either India or the Maldives, a defence source said.

If Mr Rajapaksa steps down as promised, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will automatically become acting president until Parliament elects an MP to serve out the presidential term, which ends in November 2024.

Mr Rajapaksa is accused of mismanaging the economy to a point where the country has run out of foreign exchange to finance even the most essential imports, leading to severe hardships for its 22 million population.

Sri Lanka defaulted on its $51 billion foreign debt in April and is in talks with the IMF about a possible bailout.

The island has nearly exhausted its already scarce supplies of petrol. The government has ordered the closure of non-essential offices and schools to reduce commuting and save fuel.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Morocco 2025: Ekong, Aina, Simon, Ndidi, 19 others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

Captain William Ekong, wingback Olaoluwa Aina, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo...

Unleash the Creativity Within! [PRT 2]

So here I am with more ideas of DIY crafts for you...

Career Advancement Tips for Men

The truth that most career people avoid accepting is that advancing in...

Emirship crisis: Kano govt. allocates N99.9m for Nassarawa mini-palace renovation

In response to the court’s order reinstating him, the Kano State Government...

Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves up by 5 percent to $33.58bln

Nigeria’s foreign exchange (FX) reserves have increased by five percent in the...

Breaking: Presidential aircraft’s technical fault forces VP Shettima to abort U.S. trip – spokesman 

A technical fault in the presidential aircraft forced Vice President Kashim Shettima...

Billionaire philanthropist Tony Elumelu mulls buying NPFL team

As part of his corporate social responsibility, billionaire banker and philanthropist Tony...

Terry G speaks on Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy rivalries, faces backlash from fans

Nigerian music sensation Terry G, also known as the Apako master, has...

Dani Alves pays €1m bail, set to leave Spanish jail

Former Brazil and Barcelona star Dani Alves, convicted of rape in Spain,...

World TB Day: 70 percent of TB cases in Africa now being diagnosed and treated – WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) has disclosed that about 70 percent of...

13th AAG: Tobi Amusan wins gold in women’s 100m hurdles

The Nigerian sprint star, Tobi Amusan, won gold in the women’s 100m...

FG approves N12.7bln for mass metering of army barracks nationwide

The Federal Government says it has released N12.7 billion to provide electricity...

Women’s Day: Tinubu felicitates women, vows to prioritise their welfare, rights

President Bola Tinubu has promised to prioritize the welfare of women, protect...

All African Games: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles start their campaign on a losing note

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria started their campaign in the men’s football...

EFCC sets up task force to combat dollarization of economy, mutilation of naira

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the setting up...

Breaking: Seven days after, abducted Ekiti school children, teachers regain freedom

After seven days in the kidnappers’ den, the abducted students and teachers...

How Bafarawa diverted N4.6bln from ex-NSA for prayers, election, acquire luxury vehicles

A startling revelation has been made about how a former governor of...

CBN redeploys 1,500 staff to Lagos

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has redeployed 1,500 staff...

AFCON: Pres. Tinubu says unimpressed with Super Eagles’ performance

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his displeasure over the performance of the...

I’ve not met a man kind enough to marry —Ini Edo

In a candid revelation, renowned actress, Ini Edo, has hinted about the...