Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Anuradha Jayaratne says it is unlikely that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who returned to Sri Lanka last Friday will engage in active politics going forward.

“He has not informed us of an intention to return to active politics. I do not believe he will engage in active politics again” Jayaratne said.  Instead, Jayaratne said it is important for the former President to be involved with the next generation so that he can share his experiences.

“He is perhaps the Sri Lankan President who was able to gain the most amount of experience despite his short tenure of just over two years. Therefore as the next generation, we must ensure he is actively involved with us to share his experiences. I expect this will take place” he said. 

Meanwhile responding to questions posed by the media, Rajapaksa's nephew SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said the decision to re-enter politics or not is up to Rajapaksa. "It is a decision up to him. Any one else cannot dictate what he should or should not do. He has returned to the island now and it is his right as a citizen" he said.

A person, identified as Oshala Herath has submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka today (12) requesting that a conducive environment be created for former President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to live in Sri Lanka.

Oshala Herath stated that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is a citizen of Sri Lanka and a former first citizen, should be given the opportunity to live freely in Sri Lanka.

He has further stated in the petition that although he filed a complaint with the police on July 18 to find out whether the former president left the country on his own accord or was forced to flee due to a conspiracy, no clear investigations were carried out.

Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai have confirmed that ousted Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will temporarily stay in Thailand on humanitarian reasons according to the Bangkok Post. 

However while Thailand has received a request for former Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit the country, he has no intention of seeking political asylum, Thailand’s foreign ministry said.

Thailand would be the second Southeast Asian country Rajapaksa is seeking temporary shelter after fleeing his island nation last month amid mass protests.

He fled to Singapore on July 14, via the Maldives.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit visa for Singapore is to come to an end on August 11. Therefore the decision as to if the Singaporean authorities will extend the visa or not is likely to be announced tomorrow. 

The Singapore government had previously allowed Rajapaksa to extend his stay short stay visa in the country for another 14 days after he fled Sri Lanka three weeks ago. 

Singapore's foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan was quoted as saying that former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not being accorded any privileges or immunity in Singapore.

"In general, the Singapore Government does not accord privileges, immunity and hospitality to former Heads of State or Heads of Government. Consequently, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not accorded any privileges, immunity or hospitality," he had said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe says former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has made no indication that he would return to Sri Lanka soon. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Wickremesinghe admitted he is in contact with Rajapaksa to deal with administrative handover issues and other government business and said the former President had not told him he would return to Sri Lanka in the near future. 

This is contrary to the statement by Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardena recently where he said it is likely that Rajapaksa would return to Sri Lanka soon. Rajapaksa is currently in Singapore on a visit visa after fleeing the country on July 13 amidst widespread protests calling for his resignation.  

In his interview, Wickremesinghe also opined it is not the right time for Rajapaksa to return as it would give rise to more political tensions in the country. Wickremesinghe also said he believes Sri Lanka has already hit rock bottom and the staff level agreement with the IMF will likely be finalised at the end of August. He also added it will be months before Sri Lankans see any improvement in the economy and their circumstances. 

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa singing 'Hela Jathika Abhimani, a song originally sung by C.T.Fernando, during a private gathering.

The new political party to be formed by the 'Joint Opposition' could be registered within two weeks, political sources said.

A crucial meeting took place last night at former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's residence at Mirihana to finalize the details of the political party.

The 'Joint Opposition' has agreed that Rajapaksa must be appointed leader of the new party.

The names of his brothers Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa had been mentioned in political sources as possible leaders during the last few weeks. However, neither of the three Rajapaksa's have made any public announcement of their plans to assume leadership of the new party. However, both brothers of Mahinda Rajapaksa have indicated the need for a new party.

Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa were seen together at the signing of a public petition yesterday.

Justice Priyantha Jayawardena refused to sit on the bench hearing the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa against his imminent arrest by the FCID, citing personal reasons.

The case was to be heard by a three member bench comprised of Justice Priyasath Dep, Justice Priyantha Jayawardena and Justice Upali Abeyratne of the Supreme Court.

However, following the withdrawal of Justice Jayawardena, the case was fixed for May 25 for consideration.

Through the petition filed in May 2015, Rajapaksa sought an interim order preventing his arrest by the police Financial Crimes Investigations Division. The Supreme Court issued an interim order against his arrests concerning several investigations carried out by the FCID.

Rajapaksa also questioned the legality of the establishment of the FCID through this FR petition.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave serious indications about the formation of a new political party, pointing out that "a new party is not SLFP, its a new party".

He made this observation this morning near the PRECIFAC, when journalists asked if he is intending to lead a new political front which is to be formed by the 'Joint Opposition'.

Rajapaksa arrived at the PRECIFAC for the hearings on the alleged fraud at Rakna Lanka Araksha Company.

Answering the journalists, Rajapaksa refused the rumors that he will be the leader of the front.

However he maintained that splitting parties was not new. "SWRD Bandaranaike did it. My father did it" he observed.

He maintained that the 5.8 million people who voted for his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa have been silenced. "Their voice needs to be heard" he said.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa also expressed confidence that his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa would support the new front.

"Doing the correct thing is most important" he said.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared yesterday that a new 'party of the people' should be formed as an alternative to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

Speaking to the media before leaving the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry, Rajapaksa said that the 'Good Governance' government has done nothing of value but instead has created a police state.

Recalling a statement by his brother former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former Defence Secretary said that the 'Good Governance' group had 'captured' the SLFP. Therefore, a new 'party of the people' should be formed, he added.

When it was pointed out to Rajapaksa that some SLFP members had joined the government, he responded by saying that it was merely part of politics. The vital factor is the people's opinion, he added.