Sri Lanka's former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Sri Lankan politics underwent a dramatic change as newly elected left-wing President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took the oath of office in Colombo. Now, with a majority win in the 2019 elections, Dissanayake has surpassed his previous low of 3% of the vote total.

The former president of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, landed in Kathmandu, Nepal, simultaneously. He had left Sri Lanka two years prior after a severe financial crisis. He arrived after a contentious departure from Sri Lanka, where he was met with intense public outrage and ultimately had to cede control.

Rajapaksa passed through Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, before arriving in Kathmandu. The millionaire businessman Binod Chaudhary, who is hosting him while he is in Nepal, greeted him warmly upon his arrival.

The former president arrived in Jhamsikhel on Monday morning and is now staying at the Mivanta Hotel. Rajapaksa arrived on Druk Air aircraft number KB 400 with his spouse.

Rajapaksa is scheduled to depart for Bharatpur on Wednesday, having spent the previous two days in Kathmandu. He will spend three days in Chitwan, then travel to Lumbini before arriving back in Kathmandu on Sunday.

Two years ago, amidst Sri Lanka's financial turmoil, Rajapaksa departed the country on a military plane, initially reaching the Maldives and later moving to Thailand. His departure was marked by a severe national crisis, which prompted public protests.

Following his escape, Rajapaksa appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as Acting President from Thailand, as the nation faced near-collapse. His flight was accompanied by his wife and two security guards.

Binod Chaudhary is a well-known businessman who has significant holdings in banks and hotels in Sri Lanka. He is now hosting Rajapaksa in Nepal. Additionally, he has traveled throughout South Asia, stopping in the Maldives and India.

Rajapaksa's trip to Nepal coincides with a political shift in Sri Lanka, where President Dissanayake has taken office amid expectations for change and the country's recovery.

The timing of Rajapaksa's visit and Dissanayake's inauguration draws attention to Sri Lanka's continuous political difficulties as the nation attempts to navigate its future following considerable upheaval.