Former finance minister and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Basil Rajapaksa, left for Dubai early on Monday (May 07) aboard an Emirates flight, as per Ada Derana reports.

He reportedly jetted off for Dubai from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and is expected to travel to the United States from Dubai.

The younger brother of ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was as per reports, accompanied by his wife.&nbsp;

According to Ada Derana, a spokesperson from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said that Rajapaksa is on a brief visit to the US and is scheduled to return to the island shortly.

<h2>Basil Rajapaksa and his US citizenship</h2>

Earlier this year, Basil Rajapaksa had said that he was ready to give up his US citizenship as he believed it was an 'obstacle' to his political career and depriving him of the opportunity to serve the nation.

“I am ready to give up my US citizenship if dual citizenship was an obstacle to my future political activities. I am also ready to remove any other legal obstacle so that I can work for my people,” he said during a television programme.

Basil said Ranil Wickremesinghe achieved the two key requirements for which he was appointed the Sri Lankan President.

“Due to the ‘Aragalaya,’ we were unable to step outside of our houses and several properties of politicians were attacked and burned down by the public. But Wickremesinghe has changed that situation,” news portal Newswire reported, quoting the former lawmaker and the national organiser of SLPP.

Since he assumed power, Wickremesinghe was also able to resolve the key issues of fuel shortages and frequent power cuts, he said.

“At present, we are not facing any of those social issues. We believe he is an individual who has the capacity to resolve such issues and he has proven so,” the report quoted him as saying.

Last year, after protests by officials and passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Basil was prevented from leaving Sri Lanka.

Then later, in September 2022, Basil was permitted by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court to travel to the United States to receive medical treatment.

Ahead of the 2019 presidential elections, Basil’s elder brother Gotabaya, formerly a dual citizen of both Sri Lanka and the US, had to renounce his US citizenship.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, the 76-year-old patriarch of the Rajapaksa family, has held the position of both president and prime minister during his political career.

He was also compelled to resign in May amid anti-government demonstrations in the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Former finance minister and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Basil Rajapaksa, left for Dubai early on Monday (May 07) aboard an Emirates flight, as per Ada Derana reports.

Former finance minister and National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), Basil Rajapaksa, left for Dubai early on Monday (May 07) aboard an Emirates flight, as per Ada Derana reports. He reportedly jetted off for Dubai from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and is expected to travel to the United States from Dubai. The younger brother of ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was as per reports, accompanied by his wife. According to Ada Derana, a spokesperson from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna said that Rajapaksa is on a brief visit to the US and is scheduled to return to the island shortly. Basil Rajapaksa and his US citizenship Earlier this year, Basil Rajapaksa had said that he was ready to give up his US citizenship as he believed it was an 'obstacle' to his political career and depriving him of the opportunity to serve the nation. “I am ready to give up my US citizenship if dual citizenship was an obstacle to my future political activities. I am also ready to remove any other legal obstacle so that I can work for my people,” he said during a television programme. Basil said Ranil Wickremesinghe achieved the two key requirements for which he was appointed the Sri Lankan President. “Due to the ‘Aragalaya,’ we were unable to step outside of our houses and several properties of politicians were attacked and burned down by the public. But Wickremesinghe has changed that situation,” news portal Newswire reported, quoting the former lawmaker and the national organiser of SLPP. Since he assumed power, Wickremesinghe was also able to resolve the key issues of fuel shortages and frequent power cuts, he said. “At present, we are not facing any of those social issues. We believe he is an individual who has the capacity to resolve such issues and he has proven so,” the report quoted him as saying. Last year, after protests by officials and passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Basil was prevented from leaving Sri Lanka. Then later, in September 2022, Basil was permitted by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court to travel to the United States to receive medical treatment. Ahead of the 2019 presidential elections, Basil’s elder brother Gotabaya, formerly a dual citizen of both Sri Lanka and the US, had to renounce his US citizenship. Mahinda Rajapaksa, the 76-year-old patriarch of the Rajapaksa family, has held the position of both president and prime minister during his political career. He was also compelled to resign in May amid anti-government demonstrations in the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Sri Lanka’s former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa jets off to the US

Former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa were named as respondents in fundamental rights petitions filed asking for an order to investigate those responsible for the current economic crisis.

Sri Lanka : Supreme Court lifts overseas travel bans on Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa

Sri Lanka's political and economic issues have landed the Rajapaksa's family in hot soup and this time it is Basil Rajapaksa's former finance minister and brother of Gotabaya Rajapakasa.

Lankan President's younger brother Basil Rajapaksa tenders resignation amid economic crunch

Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksha is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman this week to discuss USD 1 billion loan that the Indian government agreed to provide and will also share the road map on the utilisation of funds.

India has already given a loan of USD 500 million for fuel purchase and USD 400 million currency swap under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) facility, Policy Research Group reported.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan Finance Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday and thanked PM Modi for the support extended by India to the Sri Lankan economy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-will-always-stand-with-sri-lanka-pm-modi-tells-finance-minister-basil-rajapaksa-462918">'India will always stand with Sri Lanka', PM Modi tells finance minister Basil Rajapaksa</a>

India has stepped up and pledged a whopping USD 2.415 billion to the island nation to help overcome dire financial constraints caused by external debt payments and a lack of US dollars in the country for business.

Sri Lanka is moving away from China while getting close to India over the failure of Colombo to pay back Chinese loans worth USD 4.5 billion, amidst fears of a "debt trap".

Sri Lankan foreign minister has been asking from China and different countries to help them in their financial crisis.

Sri Lanka also offered that whosoever country will help, Sri Lanka will collaborate on supplying essential commodities and avail the economic opportunities to them on their island, think tank reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imf-in-sri-lanka-to-discuss-worsening-economic-crisis-462128">IMF in Sri Lanka to discuss worsening economic crisis</a>

Sri Lanka's credit rating has been downgraded by Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service due to delays in obtaining new funds, which are necessary to satisfy loan commitments. The country is on the verge of defaulting.

Saudi Arabian foreign minister, who recently visited Colombo, was requested to invest in the Port City project and the Hambantota Port project. Likewise, Oman was asked to assist in their fuel prices.

Sri Lanka's financial crisis began with the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and the situation deteriorated when the tourism rate fell and the government granted 25 per cent tax breaks to investors.

In January this year, Jaishankar held a virtual meeting with the Finance Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa and conveyed that India has always stood with Sri Lanka, and will continue to support Sri Lanka in all possible ways for overcoming the economic and other challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Watch |&nbsp;Sri Lanka seeks IMF bailout amid rising fuel shortages, public anger

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Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksha is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman this week to discuss USD 1 billion loan that the Indian government agreed to provide and will also share the road map on the utilisation of funds.

Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksha is expected to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman this week to discuss USD 1 billion loan that the Indian government agreed to provide and will also share the road map on the utilisation of funds. India has already given a loan of USD 500 million for fuel purchase and USD 400 million currency swap under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) facility, Policy Research Group reported. Earlier, the Sri Lankan Finance Minister met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday and thanked PM Modi for the support extended by India to the Sri Lankan economy. Also read | 'India will always stand with Sri Lanka', PM Modi tells finance minister Basil Rajapaksa India has stepped up and pledged a whopping USD 2.415 billion to the island nation to help overcome dire financial constraints caused by external debt payments and a lack of US dollars in the country for business. Sri Lanka is moving away from China while getting close to India over the failure of Colombo to pay back Chinese loans worth USD 4.5 billion, amidst fears of a "debt trap". Sri Lankan foreign minister has been asking from China and different countries to help them in their financial crisis. Sri Lanka also offered that whosoever country will help, Sri Lanka will collaborate on supplying essential commodities and avail the economic opportunities to them on their island, think tank reported. Also read | IMF in Sri Lanka to discuss worsening economic crisis Sri Lanka's credit rating has been downgraded by Fitch Ratings and Moody's Investors Service due to delays in obtaining new funds, which are necessary to satisfy loan commitments. The country is on the verge of defaulting. Saudi Arabian foreign minister, who recently visited Colombo, was requested to invest in the Port City project and the Hambantota Port project. Likewise, Oman was asked to assist in their fuel prices. Sri Lanka's financial crisis began with the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and the situation deteriorated when the tourism rate fell and the government granted 25 per cent tax breaks to investors. In January this year, Jaishankar held a virtual meeting with the Finance Minister of Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa and conveyed that India has always stood with Sri Lanka, and will continue to support Sri Lanka in all possible ways for overcoming the economic and other challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch | Sri Lanka seeks IMF bailout amid rising fuel shortages, public anger

Sri Lankan finance minister to meet his Indian counterpart this week

Calling Sri Lanka “a close and friendly neighbour”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that India would always stand with Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan FM is on a two-day visit to India amid the country’s worst economic crisis. The key focus of the meet is to get a $1 billion line of credit from New Delhi.

A statement by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Delhi said, “Finance Minister Rajapaksa thanked Prime Minister Modi for all the assistance that India has provided to Sri Lanka at this critical time.”

Among the key areas discussed during the meet at the Indian Parliament were agriculture, renewable energy, digitalisation, tourism and fisheries.

India and Sri Lanka have had multiple rounds of engagement on financial assistance from New Delhi. Finance minister Rajapaksa and external affairs minister S Jaishankar had virtually met in January on this issue.

During Wednesday's meet, Prime Minister Modi and minister Rajapaksa discussed Sri Lanka's decision to move towards organic agriculture.

Modi highlighted the “advantages of natural farming” and shared “India’s experience in developing related techniques and products, including nano fertilizers, which could be of relevance to Sri Lanka."

Last year, India had sent 100,000 kgs of nano nitrogen fertilizer to Sri Lanka after the latter barred the use of contaminated Chinese fertilizers.

Sri Lanka's unique digital identity platform, which India is helping to develop, and the promotion of Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist circuit in India, including in Gujarat, was also discussed during the meeting.

Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Sri Lanka's high commissioner Milinda Moragoda were also present at the meet.

Calling Sri Lanka “a close and friendly neighbour”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that India would always stand with Sri Lanka.

Calling Sri Lanka “a close and friendly neighbour”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the visiting Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that India would always stand with Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan FM is on a two-day visit to India amid the country’s worst economic crisis. The key focus of the meet is to get a $1 billion line of credit from New Delhi. A statement by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Delhi said, “Finance Minister Rajapaksa thanked Prime Minister Modi for all the assistance that India has provided to Sri Lanka at this critical time.” Among the key areas discussed during the meet at the Indian Parliament were agriculture, renewable energy, digitalisation, tourism and fisheries. India and Sri Lanka have had multiple rounds of engagement on financial assistance from New Delhi. Finance minister Rajapaksa and external affairs minister S Jaishankar had virtually met in January on this issue. During Wednesday's meet, Prime Minister Modi and minister Rajapaksa discussed Sri Lanka's decision to move towards organic agriculture. Modi highlighted the “advantages of natural farming” and shared “India’s experience in developing related techniques and products, including nano fertilizers, which could be of relevance to Sri Lanka." Last year, India had sent 100,000 kgs of nano nitrogen fertilizer to Sri Lanka after the latter barred the use of contaminated Chinese fertilizers. Sri Lanka's unique digital identity platform, which India is helping to develop, and the promotion of Ramayana trail in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist circuit in India, including in Gujarat, was also discussed during the meeting. Foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and Sri Lanka's high commissioner Milinda Moragoda were also present at the meet.

'India will always stand with Sri Lanka', PM Modi tells finance minister Basil Rajapaksa

A brother of Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya&nbsp;Rajapaksa&nbsp;on Thursday became finance minister, tightening the family's grip on power in the South Asian nation as it confronts growing economic troubles.&nbsp;

Basil&nbsp;Rajapaksa, 70, took over the finance portfolio from another brother, Prime Minister Mahinda&nbsp;Rajapaksa.

The 72-year-old president has put Mahinda in charge of a newly created but lower level economic policies and planning ministry.

Mahinda&nbsp;Rajapaksa, 75, was the country's president for a decade up to 2015, and Basil, who is known as the family's political strategist, managed the economy then.

Basil takes charge now after the economy recorded a coronavirus-inflicted 3.6 percent contraction for 2020, the worst since independence from Britain in 1948.

With his entry, the cabinet headed by Gotabaya now has five members of the&nbsp;Rajapaksa&nbsp;family.

Eldest brother Chamal, 78, is minister of irrigation while the prime minister's eldest son Namal, 35, is the youth and sports minister.

Several&nbsp;Rajapaksa&nbsp;family members hold junior minister positions and other key positions in the administration.

Basil&nbsp;Rajapaksa&nbsp;was described as "Mr Ten Percent" in a 2007 US embassy cable published by the WikiLeaks organisation because of commissions he allegedly took from government contracts.

He has denied any wrongdoing and inquiries failed to find any evidence to back charges he syphoned off millions of dollars from state coffers.

As a dual US-Sri Lankan citizen, Basil was prohibited from standing in the 2020 election, but Gotabaya removed constitutional provisions which prevented his entry to the legislature.

A brother of Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday became finance minister, tightening the family's grip on power in the South Asian nation as it confronts growing economic troubles.

A brother of Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday became finance minister, tightening the family's grip on power in the South Asian nation as it confronts growing economic troubles. Basil Rajapaksa, 70, took over the finance portfolio from another brother, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The 72-year-old president has put Mahinda in charge of a newly created but lower level economic policies and planning ministry. Mahinda Rajapaksa, 75, was the country's president for a decade up to 2015, and Basil, who is known as the family's political strategist, managed the economy then. Basil takes charge now after the economy recorded a coronavirus-inflicted 3.6 percent contraction for 2020, the worst since independence from Britain in 1948. With his entry, the cabinet headed by Gotabaya now has five members of the Rajapaksa family. Eldest brother Chamal, 78, is minister of irrigation while the prime minister's eldest son Namal, 35, is the youth and sports minister. Several Rajapaksa family members hold junior minister positions and other key positions in the administration. Basil Rajapaksa was described as "Mr Ten Percent" in a 2007 US embassy cable published by the WikiLeaks organisation because of commissions he allegedly took from government contracts. He has denied any wrongdoing and inquiries failed to find any evidence to back charges he syphoned off millions of dollars from state coffers. As a dual US-Sri Lankan citizen, Basil was prohibited from standing in the 2020 election, but Gotabaya removed constitutional provisions which prevented his entry to the legislature.

Rajapaksa family tightens grip on crisis-hit Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan&nbsp;Attorney General today indicted former Sri Lankan minister Basil Rajapaksa, brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, and three others on charges of misappropriating Rs&nbsp;33 million ($226264) belonging to the Divi Neguma Development Department during last year&rsquo;s &nbsp;presidential election, Sri Lanka&#39;s&nbsp;Daily Mirror&nbsp;reported. 
 
Other members of&nbsp;Mahinda&nbsp;Rakapaksa&#39;s family are also facing police investigations for alleged financial crimes. They include Rajapaksa&#39;s brother, Gotabaya, and his wife, Shiranthi. 
 
The Rajapaksas claim that the investigations are a political witch-hunt against them and their sympathisers believe these allegations were brought to tarnish his name after he led Sri Lankan forces to victory over the LTTE rebels in 2009, ending a&nbsp;three-decade civil war. 
 
The Colombo High Court fixed the next hearing on August 30. 
 
Meanwhile, the financial crimes division (FCID) of the Lankan police today also&nbsp;sought&nbsp;order from the court for assistance from Interpol to arrest Udayanga Weeratunga, former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia and a cousin of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa,&nbsp;on corruption charges. The Colombo magistrate, however, deferred issuing the order till Monday. 
 
Weeratunga, a Ukranian resident faced corruption charges during the purchase of fighter aircraft for the Lankan army, after his cousin Rajapaksa was defeated in presidential elections in January last year. 
 
The FCID wanted him in the country for questioning. 
 
Weeratunga has denied all charges levelled against him in a press statement issued recently. 
 
President Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power on a pledge to eradicate corruption, is under pressure to act on the allegations against Rajapaksa and those who served in his administration. 
 
(WION and agencies)

Other members of former president Mahinda Rakapaksa's family are also facing police investigations for alleged financial crimes

The Sri Lankan Attorney General today indicted former Sri Lankan minister Basil Rajapaksa, brother of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, and three others on charges of misappropriating Rs 33 million ($226264) belonging to the Divi Neguma Development Department during last year’s presidential election, Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror reported. Other members of Mahinda Rakapaksa's family are also facing police investigations for alleged financial crimes. They include Rajapaksa's brother, Gotabaya, and his wife, Shiranthi. The Rajapaksas claim that the investigations are a political witch-hunt against them and their sympathisers believe these allegations were brought to tarnish his name after he led Sri Lankan forces to victory over the LTTE rebels in 2009, ending a three-decade civil war. The Colombo High Court fixed the next hearing on August 30. Meanwhile, the financial crimes division (FCID) of the Lankan police today also sought order from the court for assistance from Interpol to arrest Udayanga Weeratunga, former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia and a cousin of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on corruption charges. The Colombo magistrate, however, deferred issuing the order till Monday. Weeratunga, a Ukranian resident faced corruption charges during the purchase of fighter aircraft for the Lankan army, after his cousin Rajapaksa was defeated in presidential elections in January last year. The FCID wanted him in the country for questioning. Weeratunga has denied all charges levelled against him in a press statement issued recently. President Maithripala Sirisena, who came to power on a pledge to eradicate corruption, is under pressure to act on the allegations against Rajapaksa and those who served in his administration. (WION and agencies)

Former Sri Lankan minister Basil Rajapaksa indicted on charges of misappropriating funds

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