Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled the country last month and currently staying in Thailand will return to the island on the 24th of this month, former Ambassador to Russia and Rajapaksa relative Udayanga Weeratunga said.

Speaking to media, Weeratunga said Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not a skilled politician but he is a competent administrative officer. He also said that Gotabaya is not as talented as Mahinda Rajapaksa as a politician.

Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga has been named as a suspect in a case pending in connection with an alleged misappropriation of 7 million US dollars in the purchase of MiG aircraft for the Air Force.