Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been given an extension on his stay on his short-term visit pass by Singapore. He is now permitted to stay in the city-state until the 11th of August.
Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore on the 14th of July. After fleeing his crisis-ridden country and making a brief stop at the Maldives. He fled Sri Lanka shortly after resigning from the presidency.
Two separate sources in Colombo and Singapore said that Rajapaksa had received a short-term visit pass. And Singapore has not granted him asylum. But has stated that he was on a private visit to the City State.
The Runaway Rajapaksa of the Rajapaksas
“It is my belief he may eventually consider returning to Sri Lanka but there is no definite political or other stance on this,” Sri Lankan government spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said on Tuesday.
After his resignation and subsequent escaping, Ranil Wickremasinghe, the six-time prime minister of the country wins the presidency in a parliamentary vote and appoints veteran politician and former cabinet minister, Dinesh Gunawardena as the Prime Minister.
Gotabaya’s resignation comes in after the people storm the presidential palace and demand he vacates his post. The Island Nation’s 2.2 crore people are suffering from the worst economic crisis in the country. Which has seen combined crises with, food and fuel shortages. Also with a crunch in foreign exchange due to the Rajapaksa’s poor economic policies of tax cuts. As well as default in debt repayments.
Sri Lankan government to bring the country back in order had requested a bailout package from the IMF of $4 billion back in April. However, they are still awaiting the package and have turned their attention to China.
The former president has been given an additional 14 days. Hence, to stay back in the City State until the 11th of August. It is unclear if he is going to make a return to Sri Lanka.