Sri Lanka fm says Rajapaksa's return through diplomatic channels

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told CNN late Wednesday that the Sri Lankan government had been told of Rajapaksa's return through diplomatic channels. We don't have a role in the return. Sabry said he is a citizen of Sri Lanka and can travel as he wishes.

Rajapaksa's estranged cousin Udayanga Weeratunga, a former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia, told reporters Wednesday that the former leader would return on August 24.

Rajapaksa is in Thailand after fleeing Sri Lanka in July on a military plane to Maldives, and then traveling to Singapore days after angry protesters stormed his official residence and office.

He offered his resignation from Singapore, while public anger grew over his mismanagement of the economy. The former leader's hurried exit was a historic moment for the nation of 22 million, whose members of the Rajapaksa family ruled with an iron fist for much of the past two decades. Former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa requests to travel to Thailand Anger has been growing in Sri Lanka for months after the country's foreign exchange reserves plummeted to record lows, with dollars running out to pay for essential imports such as food, medicine and fuel. Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother was forced to resign as prime minister in May because of the public fury over the crisis. His departure came during a day of chaos and violence that culminated in police imposing a curfew across the country. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly said in late July that it was not the right time for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to return to the country as it could inflame political tensions.