Sri Lanka's deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return home: Top Defence official

Former Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the island under military guard in July after a huge crowd stormed his official residence, blaming him for the unprecedented economic crisis.

Bankrupt Sri Lanka's deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to end his self-imposed exile in Thailand and return home on Saturday, a top defence official told AFP. The 73-year-old fled the island under military guard in July after a huge crowd barged into his official residence, following months of angry public protests blaming him for the island nation's unprecedented economic crisis.

He issued his resignation from Singapore before flying onward to Bangkok, where he has been petitioning his successor to facilitate his return.

"He has been living in a Thai hotel as a virtual prisoner and was keen to return," the defence official, who asked not to be named, told AFP on Friday. "We are told he will return very early on Saturday."

"We have just created a new security division to protect him after his return on Saturday. The unit comprises elements from the army and police commandos."

Sri Lanka's constitution guarantees bodyguards, a vehicle and housing for former presidents. Rajapaksa travelled to Thailand after Singapore declined to extend his 28-day visa, but security authorities in Bangkok told him not to step out of his hotel for his own safety.

The former president had a 90-day visa to remain in Thailand, but opted to return with his wife, a bodyguard and another aide, the official said.

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