By Ajith Siriwardana  

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was set to return to the country on August 24, Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga hinted yesterday.

When asked whether he was saying it with responsibility, he said he was saying it with responsibility at this moment. “The date could change. I am saying it with responsibility today. I can’t help if he changes the date later,” he said.  

He told the media after making a statement to the CID on the MIG Deal that the former President would render a service to the country.  When asked whether Gotabaya Rajapaksa would engage in politics again, he said he was not a clever politician but a clever officer.  

“I don’t think our people should be foolish again. He is not a clever person as a politician. He is a clever officer. He does not have the qualities of Mahinda Rajapaksa. That is why he got it all wrong,” he said.  

Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga arrived at the CID to record a statement in connection with the alleged misappropriation of 7 million US dollars during the purchase of MiG aircraft for the Air Force following a court order.