International

India Refutes โ€œSpeculative Reportsโ€ Of Sending Troops To Sri Lanka

Colombo: The Indian High Commission today emphatically denied claims in the media that New Delhi is sending troops to Colombo, stressing that India is totally committed to Sri Lankaโ€™s democracy, stability, and economic recovery.

The Indian missionโ€™s rejection came a day after it dismissed local social media rumors that former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family had fled to India as โ€œfake and plainly incorrect.โ€

Since his resignation on Monday, there has been speculation about Mahinda Rajapaksaโ€™s location. Mahinda was said to have left Temple Trees, his office/official residence.

India expressed its โ€œcomplete supportโ€ for the island nationโ€™s democracy, stability, and economic recovery on Tuesday.

โ€œThe High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about #India sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of #India,โ€ the Indian mission said on Twitter.

โ€œThe Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India clearly stated yesterday that India is fully supportive of Sri Lankaโ€™s democracy, stability and economic recovery,โ€ it said in another tweet.

After his followers attacked anti-government protestors, authorities imposed a statewide curfew and deployed military in the capital, Mahinda Rajapaksa, 76, resigned as Prime Minister amid unprecedented economic crisis in the country. Pro-Rajapaksa politicians were targeted in the aftermath of the incident.

Protesters gathered near the military facility in Trincomaleeโ€™s eastern port sector, believing that Mahinda Rajapaksa had sought asylum there.

For his suspected facilitation of a mob that went on to attack anti-government protestors calling for the Rajapaksa family, including President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to quit, calls for his arrest are growing.

In the riots, at least eight people have died and over 250 have been injured, with scores of properties belonging to ruling party politicians being set on fire.

President Gotabaya has urged citizens to refrain from โ€œviolence and acts of revengeโ€ against one another, and has promised to confront the countryโ€™s biggest political and economic crises since its 1948 independence from Britain.

The problem is exacerbated by a lack of foreign currency, which means the government cannot afford to import basic supplies and gasoline, resulting in severe shortages and sky-high costs.

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.
Some error occurred

Related posts

News Hub