<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Sri Lanka's former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is expected to return to the country from Singapore, a Sri Lankan lawmaker says.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday that Mr Rajapaksa was not in hiding but the date of his return was not known.</div><div><br></div><div>The former leader fled Sri Lanka after mass unrest over an economic crisis.</div><div><br></div><div>Many protesters say he mishandled the nation's finances, leading to soaring prices of essential goods.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka on 13 July for the Maldives, before making his way to Singapore on 14 July.</div><div><br></div><div>He submitted his resignation shortly after his arrival, which was formally accepted by the Sri Lankan cabinet on 15 July.</div><div><br></div><div>The former president travelled with his wife and two bodyguards. He no longer has legal immunity as a head of state.</div><div><br></div><div>Singapore says the ousted president did not ask for political asylum when he arrived.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Rajapaksa had been initially granted a 14-day visa for his stay in Singapore. But that has now been extended another 14 days, Singapore local media reported on Wednesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Speculation has since swirled about his possible plans, with some suggesting he might move to the United Arab Emirates.</div><div><br></div><div>However Bloomberg quoted an unnamed Sri Lankan official as saying Mr Rajapaksa was keen to return to Colombo.</div><div><br></div><div>"To my knowledge he is expected to come back," Mr Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div><div>Sri Lankans blame Mr Rajapaksa's administration for their worst economic crisis in decades.</div><div><br></div><div>They have been struggling with months of daily power cuts and shortages of basics like fuel, food and medicines.</div><div><br></div><div>Mr Rajapaksa has been replaced as president by his close ally Ranil Wickremesinghe - he was voted in by lawmakers last week but is deeply unpopular among Sri Lankans. -BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/TR</div><div><br></div>