September 20, Colombo (LNW): Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), reportedly left the country early this morning (20th), a day before the presidential election. According to sources, Rajapaksa boarded Emirates Airline flight EK 659, which departed from Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport at 3:05 am, heading to Dubai, from where he is expected to continue his journey to the United States.
Rajapaksa used the Gold Route Special Entry of the airline and was traveling alone. Reports indicate that former State Minister DV Chanaka, along with MPs Sanjeeva Edhirimanna and Jayanatha Katagoda, also accompanied him to the airport to his departure.
Basil Rajapaksa has been a key figure in the election campaign of Namal Rajapaksa, the SLPP candidate in this year’s presidential election.
