Maldives clears its side for why it permitted Gotabaya's transit visit

Colombo, Jul 15: After Gotabaya Rajapaksa's visit to the Maldives triggered protests in the nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives clarified that the aircraft carrying Sri Lankan President was granted diplomatic clearance for a transit visit.

 

 

 

 

Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, "The Government of Maldives, at the official request of the Government of Sri Lanka, granted diplomatic clearance for a Sri Lanka Air Force aircraft carrying His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka and spouse, on a transit visit, to land at the Velana International Airport on 13 July 2022. President Rajapaksa left to Singapore on 14 July 2022."

 

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the island nation with his spouse and two bodyguards on Jul 13 driven out after an economic collapse unleashed a massive uprising in the country, subsequently appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as the interim President of Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa had gone into hiding after crowds of protesters stormed his residence on Jul 9 due to economic turbulence in Sri Lanka.

 

 

 

 

 

As protesters demanded Gotabaya Rajapaksa's resignation and slogans "GotaGoGama" were heard on the streets of Colombo and assured that they will peacefully hand over government-occupied buildings including President's house, Presidential Secretariat, and Prime Minister's office, aiming to restore peace in the country. Embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday tendered his resignation to the Speaker of the Parliament.

 

Sri Lankan Speaker's office said that the Speaker of Parliament has received the resignation letter of Rajapaksa. Meanwhile, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into Singapore on a private visit and he has not asked for asylum nor has he been granted asylum. President Rajapaksa left for Singapore on 14 Jul and arrived in Singapore on board a Saudia Airlines Flight on Thursday (Jul 14) evening.