Saudi Airlines Carrying Sri Lanka’s Embattled President Rajapaksa Lands In Singapore: Report

Saudi Airline flight SV 788 carrying Sri Lanka’s embattled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday landed in Singapore from the Maldives after he fled the nation amid large protests towards his authorities’s mishandling of the economic system, PTI reported. In an announcement, Singapore’s Overseas Ministry stated Rajapaksa was allowed entry into Singapore on a personal go to.

“Rajapaksa has been allowed entry into Singapore on a personal go to. He has not requested for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum. Singapore typically doesn’t grant requests for asylum,” the assertion stated.

Rajapaksa, the 73-year-old chief who agreed to stop on Wednesday, designated Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as interim President hours after fleeing the nation, worsening the political turmoil and sparking new demonstrations within the island nation.

Saudi Airways plane SV 788, which was reported to be carrying President Rajapaksa, arrived at Singapore Changi Worldwide Airport quickly after 7 p.m. (native time).

Saudi Airline flight SV 788 believed to be carrying Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa lands in Singapore

— Press Belief of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2022

Hundreds of protestors stormed Rajapaksa’s official home on Saturday, accusing him of inflicting the catastrophic financial meltdown that has introduced the nation to its knees, following which he introduced on Saturday that he’ll resign on Wednesday.

Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, the speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament, acknowledged on Thursday that President Rajapaksa had not but despatched him a letter of resignation.

With the intention to escape being arrested by the brand new authorities—regardless of having safety from prosecution whereas he’s president—Rajapaksa left the nation with out quitting.

In keeping with reviews within the Maldives capital Male, Rajapaksa’s departure to the Maldives was organized by former president and speaker of the Maldivian Majlis (Parliament) Mohamed Nasheed.

22 million individuals reside in Sri Lanka, a nation that’s experiencing the best financial instability in seven many years, making it troublesome for a lot of to afford primary requirements like meals, remedy, and gasoline. Sri Lanka is now a bankrupt nation, in response to Prime Minister Wickremesinghe final week.

(With Inputs From PTI)