Sri Lankan president’s brother attempts to flee country, thwarted by airport officials, passengers

Former Minister of Finance Sri Lanka Basil Rajapaksa tried to escape from a country hit by a crisis on Monday night, but was thwarted by airport officials and passengers who recognize him and block their way.

The island almost spent a rare gasoline supply. The government has ordered the closure of offices and schools that are not important to reduce travel and save fuel.

Basil, who is also a younger brother from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, skipped his flight to Dubai after passengers protested him when he tried to get on a plane that departed from the International Airport in Colombo.