Gotabaya ‘to return home’

Bankrupt Sri Lanka's deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to end his self-imposed exile in Thailand and return home early today, a top defence official told AFP yesterday. The 73-year-old fled the island under military escort in July after crowds stormed his official residence, following months of angry demonstrations blaming him for the nation's economic crisis. He issued his resignation from Singapore before flying onward to Bangkok, where he has been petitioning his successor to facilitate his return.