India International International

“Baseless”: India Dismisses Reports Of Helping Lankan Prez Flee

India said speculations doing rounds in the media that India provided help to the Rajapaksa family who fled to the Maldives were untrue.

Mumbai: After the Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa Gotabaya bolted to the Maldives in a military aircraft, there were reports that stated that India has helped the president in doing so. The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has dismissed “baseless” and “speculative” media reports.

“High Commission categorically denies baseless and speculative media reports that India facilitated the recently reported travel of @gotabayar @Realbrajapaksa out of Sri Lanka,” the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka tweeted.

The Indian high commission was quick to issue tweets dismissing any reports that New Delhi helped him or his brother Basil Rajapaksa leave Sri Lanka. “It is reiterated that India will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established democratic institutions and constitutional framework,” it added.

“According to the request of the Government in accordance with the powers vested in an Executive President in the Constitution of Sri Lanka, His Excellency the President and the Lady along with two bodyguards from Katunayake International Airport to the Maldives subject to the full approval of the Ministry of Defense subject to immigration, customs and all other laws at Katunayake International Airport. An Air Force flight was given early in the morning on 13th July 2022 to depart,” Sri Lankan Air Force Media Director said in a statement.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to be sworn in today as interim President till a new President is elected by Parliament on July 20 and nominations for the presidency will be called for on July 19.

Dear Readers,
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.

Related posts