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 Lanka’s democracy, stability, and economic recovery.
The Indian mission’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 “fake and plainly incorrect.”
Since his resignation on Monday, there has been speculation about Mahinda Rajapaksa’s location. Mahinda was said to have left Temple Trees, his office/official residence.
India expressed its “complete support” for the island nation’s democracy, stability, and economic recovery on Tuesday.
“The 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,” the Indian mission said on Twitter.
“The Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India clearly stated yesterday that India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka’s democracy, stability and economic recovery,” 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 Trincomalee’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 “violence and acts of revenge” against one another, and has promised to confront the country’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.
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