By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

An attempt by former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to leave the country through the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal was foiled due to airport immigration officials refusing to let him leave the country following the protests by passengers.   

According to the immigration office sources, the former Minister arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 12.00 midnight last night to leave for Dubai.   The reserved flight for Basil Rajapaksa was scheduled to leave for Dubai at 3.15 am yesterday.    However, the immigration officers refused to approve Basil Rajapaksa’s departure. Later, the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) decided to withdraw from functioning at the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal from last night.   It was reported that Basil Rajapaksa had to return without being able to proceed.  

The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association (SLIEOA) has decided to withdraw from functioning at the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from this morning until further notice.  

SLIEOA President K.A.A.S. Kanugala said the decision was made considering the current unstable and crisis situation in the country and the strong possibility of a large number of accused former political VIPs using this Silk Route Clearance Terminal to leave the country. 

Accordingly, the operations at the Silk Route Passenger Clearance Terminal were stopped at 12.00 midnight yesterday.  The VIPs can arrange their flight facilities by paying money at the BIA through the Silk Route.  Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) of the SriLankan Airlines also decided to withdraw from services, in order to prevent responsible officials who are involved in the country’s present crisis from leaving.  Therefore, considering all aspects, the SLNSS has decided to withdraw from their duties from noon yesterday  and has also decided to stay away from passenger handling on the Silk Route/VIP.