COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – As he has done in the past, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) founder Basil Rajapaksa has left the country ahead of the upcoming elections. Rajapaksa departed for Dubai early Thursday morning aboard Emirates flight EK-649, which took off at 03:05 am from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Airport officials confirmed that Rajapaksa used the ‘Gold Route’ terminal at BIA, a premium service that offers VIP facilities. Reports indicate that he paid US$206 for access to the exclusive terminal.
According to airport sources, Rajapaksa is expected to continue his journey from Dubai to the United States, a route he frequently uses for travel to America. This latest departure follows a pattern in which the SLPP founder often leaves the country in the lead-up to key political events, sparking speculation about his role in ongoing political developments.
Rajapaksa, a significant figure in Sri Lankan politics, is known for his influence within the SLPP, and his departures before elections have drawn attention in the past. However, no official statement has been made regarding the reason for his latest trip.
