<p>Sri Lanka's former President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has applied for his US citizenship restoration after he failed to receive asylum in any nation. The ex-President fled the country in July 2022 amid economic turmoil and returned two months later to the south Asian island nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the United States government is yet to process his application, The Sunday Times newspaper reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sri Lankan Constitution says that citizens with dual citizenship would not be allowed to be contest in presidential elections. Thus, Rajapaksa renounced his United States citizenship to run for president in the 2019 polls.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read|&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-new-austerity-drive-no-government-jobs-548922">Sri Lanka's new austerity drive: No government jobs</a></p>

<p>His lawyers have made a restoration request to the US government, specifically to the Department of State. However, the report also mentioned that the current status of the application is pending. Moreover, restoring US citizenship is a costly and time-consuming legal process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Mass protests in Sri Lanka in 2022 toppled Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government, and he left for the Maldives on July 13, leaving the country&nbsp;in the worst financial crisis it has seen. From there, he travelled to Singapore and Thailand. He returned home on September 2, 2022.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch|&nbsp;Sri Lanka works towards securing IMF bailout, freezes recruitment in fresh austerity drive</strong></p>

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<p>Since then, Rajapaksa and his 15 close family members have made multiple attempts to escape the country. Five months ago, a representative of the United States confirmed that they rejected Gotabaya's visa. Later, Sri Lanka's neighbouring nation India also refused Gotabaya's plane from landing in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild are still US citizens and live there. The disgraced ex-President is currently in Dubai on vacation with his immediate family.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Sri Lanka's former President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has applied for his US citizenship restoration after he failed to receive asylum in any nation. The ex-President fled the country in July 2022 amid economic turmoil and returned two months later to the south Asian island nation.

Sri Lanka's former President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has applied for his US citizenship restoration after he failed to receive asylum in any nation. The ex-President fled the country in July 2022 amid economic turmoil and returned two months later to the south Asian island nation. However, the United States government is yet to process his application, The Sunday Times newspaper reported. The Sri Lankan Constitution says that citizens with dual citizenship would not be allowed to be contest in presidential elections. Thus, Rajapaksa renounced his United States citizenship to run for president in the 2019 polls. Also Read| Sri Lanka's new austerity drive: No government jobs His lawyers have made a restoration request to the US government, specifically to the Department of State. However, the report also mentioned that the current status of the application is pending. Moreover, restoring US citizenship is a costly and time-consuming legal process. Mass protests in Sri Lanka in 2022 toppled Gotabaya Rajapaksa's government, and he left for the Maldives on July 13, leaving the country in the worst financial crisis it has seen. From there, he travelled to Singapore and Thailand. He returned home on September 2, 2022. Watch| Sri Lanka works towards securing IMF bailout, freezes recruitment in fresh austerity drive Since then, Rajapaksa and his 15 close family members have made multiple attempts to escape the country. Five months ago, a representative of the United States confirmed that they rejected Gotabaya's visa. Later, Sri Lanka's neighbouring nation India also refused Gotabaya's plane from landing in India. However, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild are still US citizens and live there. The disgraced ex-President is currently in Dubai on vacation with his immediate family. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for US citizenship restoration

Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was ousted from power following months of protest has reportedly left for the United States with family, according to a report. This is Rajapaksa's first foreign trip since returning to Sri Lanka more than 3 months ago. Watch to know more.

Sri Lanka's ousted ex-president Rajapaksa, family leaves for U.S.: Reports

<p>As Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand to seek refuge, reports claim the former president is awaiting a US Green Card to settle down in the United States with his family.</p>

<p>A media report in Sri Lanka stated that US authorities had begun processing Gotabaya's application. Reports claim the former president is set to return to Sri Lanka on August 25. Rajapaksa is currently staying in a hotel at an undisclosed location in Bangkok.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-commits-another-25-million-in-emergency-aid-to-sri-lanka-takes-total-to-75-million-508249">Also Read:&nbsp;Australia commits another $25 million in emergency aid to Sri Lanka</a></p>

<p>Rajapaksa had arrived in Bangkok earlier this month in a private jet. The former president had flown to Singapore from the Maldives as protests escalated in the country due to the deepening economic crisis.</p>

<p>Singapore had extended a 30-day visa to Gotabaya even as he sought a safe haven in Thailand. Rajapaksa stepped down after protesters overran his residence last month amid large-scale demonstrations against food and fuel shortages driven by hyperinflation.&nbsp;The Lankan government had decided to default on its $51 billion foreign debt in April amid talks with the International Monetary Fund for a possible bailout.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka?</strong></p>

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<p>During his stay in Singapore, a &nbsp;South Africa-based international human rights group had urged&nbsp;the Singapore government to indict Rajapaksa for crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the civil war which ended in 2009.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Sri Lankan protesters continued their demonstrations as police fired tear gas and water cannon on Thursday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe had earlier decided to&nbsp;end the state of emergency imposed in the country due to escalating protests.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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As Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand to seek refuge, reports claim the former president is awaiting a US Green Card to settle down in the United States with his family.

As Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand to seek refuge, reports claim the former president is awaiting a US Green Card to settle down in the United States with his family. A media report in Sri Lanka stated that US authorities had begun processing Gotabaya's application. Reports claim the former president is set to return to Sri Lanka on August 25. Rajapaksa is currently staying in a hotel at an undisclosed location in Bangkok. Also Read: Australia commits another $25 million in emergency aid to Sri Lanka Rajapaksa had arrived in Bangkok earlier this month in a private jet. The former president had flown to Singapore from the Maldives as protests escalated in the country due to the deepening economic crisis. Singapore had extended a 30-day visa to Gotabaya even as he sought a safe haven in Thailand. Rajapaksa stepped down after protesters overran his residence last month amid large-scale demonstrations against food and fuel shortages driven by hyperinflation. The Lankan government had decided to default on its $51 billion foreign debt in April amid talks with the International Monetary Fund for a possible bailout. Watch: Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka? During his stay in Singapore, a South Africa-based international human rights group had urged the Singapore government to indict Rajapaksa for crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the civil war which ended in 2009. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan protesters continued their demonstrations as police fired tear gas and water cannon on Thursday. President Ranil Wickremesinghe had earlier decided to end the state of emergency imposed in the country due to escalating protests. (With inputs from Agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Former Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has applied for Green Card to settle in US: Report

<p>US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has called for a peaceful transfer of power within the boundaries of the country’s constitution and stated that the US condemns all forms of violence and urges that the rule of law be followed, she said in a tweet. Additionally, the US ambassador urged the political parties to cooperate in order to provide long-term political and economic stability to the country. "We urge all parties to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation and to work quickly to implement solutions that will bring long-term economic &amp; political stability,” Chung said in a tweet.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">(2/2) We condemn all violence &amp; call for the rule of law to be upheld. A peaceful transfer of power within SL’s democratic &amp; constitutional framework is essential so the people’s demands for accountability, transparency, democratic governance &amp; a better future can be realized.</p>
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<p>Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday (July 13), after an uprising sparked by the island nation’s economic collapse, and is currently waiting to fly further to Singapore amid the crisis. The Speaker of the House announced Rajapaksa’s resignation. The president was forced to evacuate with the navy and tender his resignation after Sri Lankan protesters stormed his house and wouldn’t leave.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-state-broadcaster-stops-live-telecast-as-protests-intensify-497154">Sri Lanka state broadcaster stops live telecast as protests intensify</a></strong></p>

<p>Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former prime minister of the country and current acting president, has announced a state of emergency and enforced it in the Western province. However, in the midst of Sri Lanka’s continuous unrest and crises, Wickremesinghe also declared his intention to resign from his position.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: India denies helping Gotabaya escape</strong></p>

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<p>Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that he intends to run for the presidency after Rajapaksa’s resignation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-crisis-during-protests-a-picture-of-a-couple-kissing-goes-viral-497109">Sri Lanka crisis: During protests, a picture of a couple kissing goes viral</a></strong></p>

<p>Numerous stories of clashes between the Sri Lankans and police and armed forces at petrol stations have been reported, where thousands of desperate people lined up for hours and often for days, have surfaced as a result of the country’s deteriorating economic situation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has called for a peaceful transfer of power within the boundaries of the country’s constitution and stated that the US condemns all forms of violence and urges that the rule of law be followed, she said in a tweet.

US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has called for a peaceful transfer of power within the boundaries of the country’s constitution and stated that the US condemns all forms of violence and urges that the rule of law be followed, she said in a tweet. Additionally, the US ambassador urged the political parties to cooperate in order to provide long-term political and economic stability to the country. "We urge all parties to approach this juncture with a commitment to the betterment of the nation and to work quickly to implement solutions that will bring long-term economic & political stability,” Chung said in a tweet. (2/2) We condemn all violence & call for the rule of law to be upheld. A peaceful transfer of power within SL’s democratic & constitutional framework is essential so the people’s demands for accountability, transparency, democratic governance & a better future can be realized. — Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) July 13, 2022 × Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on Wednesday (July 13), after an uprising sparked by the island nation’s economic collapse, and is currently waiting to fly further to Singapore amid the crisis. The Speaker of the House announced Rajapaksa’s resignation. The president was forced to evacuate with the navy and tender his resignation after Sri Lankan protesters stormed his house and wouldn’t leave. Also read | Sri Lanka state broadcaster stops live telecast as protests intensify Ranil Wickremesinghe, the former prime minister of the country and current acting president, has announced a state of emergency and enforced it in the Western province. However, in the midst of Sri Lanka’s continuous unrest and crises, Wickremesinghe also declared his intention to resign from his position. Watch | Gravitas: India denies helping Gotabaya escape Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has announced that he intends to run for the presidency after Rajapaksa’s resignation. Also read | Sri Lanka crisis: During protests, a picture of a couple kissing goes viral Numerous stories of clashes between the Sri Lankans and police and armed forces at petrol stations have been reported, where thousands of desperate people lined up for hours and often for days, have surfaced as a result of the country’s deteriorating economic situation. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sri Lanka crisis: US demands peaceful transfer of power as per constitution

Protesters in Sri Lanka defied tear gas, water cannon and a state of emergency to storm the prime minister's office on Wednesday after the president fled overseas. Molly Gambhir and Dasuni Athauda tell you how the day unfolded into chaos.

Sri Lanka on edge after President Gotabaya flees | Crisis triggers chaos in Colombo again