<p>Sri Lanka's deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seeking to return home from his exile in Thailand and has asked his successor to guarantee his safety, his party announced Friday.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa fled the island last month after a huge crowd stormed his house, capping months of white-hot public anger over the island nation's unprecedented economic crisis.</p>.<p>The 73-year-old was forced to flee his official residence with the help of the military and eventually issued his resignation from Singapore.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/sri-lankas-ruling-party-asks-new-president-to-help-with-ex-leader-rajapaksas-return-1137352.html">Sri Lanka's ruling party asks new President to help with ex-leader Rajapaksa's return</a></strong></p>.<p>He has since flown to Thailand but authorities there have warned him not to venture out of his hotel for his own safety, keeping him virtually under hotel arrest.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa's youngest brother Basil, the former finance minister, met with the deposed leader's successor Ranil Wickremesinghe Thursday and requested protection to allow his return, their party said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Basil Rajapaksa requested the president to make arrangements for the former president to return home," the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party said in a statement.</p>.<p>"The main demand of the SLPP is the safety and security of the former president."</p>.<p>The SLPP has an overwhelming majority in parliament and Wickremesinghe's administration relies on the party's lawmakers to govern.</p>.<p>There was no immediate reaction from the new government regarding the request.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa came to power promising "vistas of prosperity and splendour" in 2019 but saw his popularity plummet as the country's 22 million people endured fuel shortages, blackouts and runaway inflation.</p>.<p>After resigning half-way through his five-year term, Rajapaksa has lost his presidential immunity and could face prosecution for corruption.</p>.<p>Several cases before the Sri Lankan courts stalled after he became president in 2019 but could be revived if he returns.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka's constitution guarantees bodyguards, a vehicle and housing for former presidents.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka's deposed former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is seeking to return home from his exile in Thailand and has asked his successor to guarantee his safety, his party announced Friday.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa fled the island last month after a huge crowd stormed his house, capping months of white-hot public anger over the island nation's unprecedented economic crisis.</p>.<p>The 73-year-old was forced to flee his official residence with the help of the military and eventually issued his resignation from Singapore.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/sri-lankas-ruling-party-asks-new-president-to-help-with-ex-leader-rajapaksas-return-1137352.html">Sri Lanka's ruling party asks new President to help with ex-leader Rajapaksa's return</a></strong></p>.<p>He has since flown to Thailand but authorities there have warned him not to venture out of his hotel for his own safety, keeping him virtually under hotel arrest.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa's youngest brother Basil, the former finance minister, met with the deposed leader's successor Ranil Wickremesinghe Thursday and requested protection to allow his return, their party said in a statement.</p>.<p>"Basil Rajapaksa requested the president to make arrangements for the former president to return home," the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party said in a statement.</p>.<p>"The main demand of the SLPP is the safety and security of the former president."</p>.<p>The SLPP has an overwhelming majority in parliament and Wickremesinghe's administration relies on the party's lawmakers to govern.</p>.<p>There was no immediate reaction from the new government regarding the request.</p>.<p>Rajapaksa came to power promising "vistas of prosperity and splendour" in 2019 but saw his popularity plummet as the country's 22 million people endured fuel shortages, blackouts and runaway inflation.</p>.<p>After resigning half-way through his five-year term, Rajapaksa has lost his presidential immunity and could face prosecution for corruption.</p>.<p>Several cases before the Sri Lankan courts stalled after he became president in 2019 but could be revived if he returns.</p>.<p>Sri Lanka's constitution guarantees bodyguards, a vehicle and housing for former presidents.</p>