Airport officials prevent Basil from leaving the country

Emigration and Immigration officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport thwarted an attempt by former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to leave the country.

He tried to use the "Silk route" exit of the airport to check in, but the airport officials refused to attend to his travel documents.

Mr Rajapksa had to turn back as the officials refused to check him into the aircraft early this morning.