Colombo, July 12: Sri Lanka officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport ensured that former Minister and absconding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s brother, Basil Rajapaksa, did not leave the country as they temporarily withdrew operations at BIA.
The immigration and emigration officials at the airport in Katunayake went on strike on Monday night when the former Finance Minister attempted to leave the country.
Rajapaksa who arrived at the BIA on Monday night, had to return due to strong opposition from passengers and other parties after they urged the airport authorities not to tend to the former minister, according to videos that went viral on social media.
The officials withdrew from operations at the ‘Silk Route’ VIP clearance terminal at the BIA as the Minister reached the airport to depart to the US via Dubai, sources told the media here.
The “Silk Route” passenger terminal is where dignitaries can book their flights and also has a special paid lounge service of the Sri Lankan Airport Aviation Authority dedicated to stamping passenger’s passports and collecting luggage on behalf of the passenger.
KAAS Kanugala, President of Sri Lanka Immigration Department Officers Association, said that the services will remain withdrawn until further notice.
