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.

<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>

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.&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.

Watch:&nbsp;Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to Sri Lanka?

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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.

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.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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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

Police in Sri Lanka fired tear gas shells to disperse students in Colombo as the country continues to grapple with economic crisis.

The police barracked road leading to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in the capital as Sri Lankans demanded the resignation of the president.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ex-pm-rajapaksa-responsible-for-may-9-violence-says-sri-lankan-minister-harin-fernando-to-wion-482738">Also Read:&nbsp;Mahinda Rajapaksa responsible for May 9 violence, says Sri Lankan minister</a>

The country has been hit by fuel crisis and surging inflation. Last month the government&nbsp;declared it was defaulting on its $51 billion foreign debt.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government would be proposing new laws to give parliament more power and cabinet members to become accountable to parliament.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Sri Lanka continues to witness massive protests

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"I propose to appoint four youth representatives to each of the 15 committees," Wickremesinghe said as he announced new reforms as part of the plan to revive the country's failing economy.

Wickremesinghe took over as the country's prime minister after the president's elder brother Mahinda resigned from the post earlier this month amid large scale anti-government protests.

Protesters had earlier tried to Rajapaksa's residence in March as the citizens began to hit out against the government. Wickremesinghe has been given additional charge of the finance ministry as the nation battles with the worst-ever economic crisis.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Police in Sri Lanka fired tear gas shells to disperse students in Colombo as the country continues to grapple with economic crisis. The police barracked road leading to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in the capital as Sri Lankans demanded the resignation of the president.

Police in Sri Lanka fired tear gas shells to disperse students in Colombo as the country continues to grapple with economic crisis. The police barracked road leading to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence in the capital as Sri Lankans demanded the resignation of the president. Also Read: Mahinda Rajapaksa responsible for May 9 violence, says Sri Lankan minister The country has been hit by fuel crisis and surging inflation. Last month the government declared it was defaulting on its $51 billion foreign debt. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government would be proposing new laws to give parliament more power and cabinet members to become accountable to parliament. Watch: Sri Lanka continues to witness massive protests "I propose to appoint four youth representatives to each of the 15 committees," Wickremesinghe said as he announced new reforms as part of the plan to revive the country's failing economy. Wickremesinghe took over as the country's prime minister after the president's elder brother Mahinda resigned from the post earlier this month amid large scale anti-government protests. Protesters had earlier tried to Rajapaksa's residence in March as the citizens began to hit out against the government. Wickremesinghe has been given additional charge of the finance ministry as the nation battles with the worst-ever economic crisis. (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.

Lankan police fires tear gas shells at students during anti-government protests

The inevitable has happened, and the Sri Lankan government has declared bankruptcy. It makes one wonder if other nations might have undergone bankruptcy in the past?

Did you know this country was once bankrupt?