Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa made his return to Sri Lanka this morning, March 5, 2024. Arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, Rajapaksa was welcomed by a group of members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the party he founded.

Several MPs were also among the group which went to the airport to welcome Rajapaksa 

However, a sizable proportion of the SLPP MPs are currently supporting President Ranil Wickremesinghe.