Gotabaya Rajapaksa ‘not accorded any privileges’ in S’pore: MFA

2 August 2022 10:31 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Singapore's foreign minister said yesterday that former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not being accorded any privileges or immunity in Singapore.

Rajapaksa landed in Singapore on July 14, a day after fleeing his crisis-ridden country via Maldives and following a popular uprising that forced him to resign as president.

"In general, the Singapore Government does not accord privileges, immunity and hospitality to former Heads of State or Heads of Government. Consequently, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not accorded any privileges, immunity or hospitality," the minister, Vivian Balakrishnan, said.

Vivian was responding to a parliamentary question filed by Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam on the privileges, immunities and hospitality accorded to former Heads of State or Government who visit and transit through Singapore.

Giam also asked about if there were any public resources used, and whether former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was accorded any privileges, immunities and hospitality in Singapore.

In his written response, Vivian clarified that Rajapaksa was not accorded “any privileges, immunity or hospitality”.

Separately, Minister For Home Affairs (MHA) K Shanmugam said that foreigners who possess a valid travel document and meet entry requirements will be allowed to come into Singapore.

“We also of course reserve the right to deny entry to a foreigner if we assess that to be in our national interests,” he added in his own written reply.

Shanmugam was responding to a question filed by PAP MP Yip Hon Weng, who asked about the policy of allowing foreigners wanted by their own government to transit through Singapore.

If a foreigner coming into Singapore is wanted by his government, and if they had made a request to Singapore, Shanmugam said that Singapore will render assistance in accordance with its laws.

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Comments - 15

Freddy Foxx Tuesday, 02 August 2022 11:29 AM

Please do not stretch any of the rules of your Country's constitution to accommodate this idiot. When his second 14 day's end, load him on a any plane or ship destined to Papua NewGunea

Ranga Tuesday, 02 August 2022 11:48 AM

This is why Singapore is a first world nation where as Sri Lanka is a the begging bowl with most corrupt politician in Asia

Saman Tuesday, 02 August 2022 11:53 AM

He should be accorded privileges. He is the father of the nation who led a victorious army to crush an ethnic group in the country. He is icon of Sri Lanka.

Fate of Raja Tuesday, 02 August 2022 01:22 PM

We have heard of Appuwa becoming a Raja. But this is a vise versa situation.

Prof Lasantha Pethiyagoda Tuesday, 02 August 2022 01:41 PM

The former president of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapakse has no "immunity" from prosecution. He is wanted for fraud offences in the US. Singapore should extradite him to the US to face charges there.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 02 August 2022 01:53 PM

Why dont you make him President of Singapore for one week and see how he wrecks and bankrupts the fabric of Singapore from top to bottom the way they did to Sri Lanka.

Punchi Tuesday, 02 August 2022 02:15 PM

Singapore is mostly a meritocracy. A Shanmugam is a foreign minister and also at Independence a Ceylonese Demilo was the foreign minister and in the inner core of Lee Quan Yu’s government. In our failed paradise we are fearful of meritocracy, we are frightened that meritocracy will result in us relegated to second class status. We are OK to sending our women as maids overseas rather than building a clever country

Ram Tuesday, 02 August 2022 02:39 PM

Singapore observe their laws, principles and norms to the letter. Our Sri Lankan government observe all that in the breach

anil Tuesday, 02 August 2022 02:43 PM

How is he able to afford a life in Singapore for so long. It's not a cheap destination

Shantha Tuesday, 02 August 2022 03:27 PM

Who cares about his privileges.

Bernard Tuesday, 02 August 2022 04:05 PM

The good image of Singapore known as the 'Lion City' would be tarnished if they give even shelter to a person on the run afraid to face charges in his own cuntry.

kukula Tuesday, 02 August 2022 06:48 PM

No one is interested in his well being.

Anura Jayantha Tuesday, 02 August 2022 07:22 PM

Who cares! Why are the Singaporean guilty? Are they lying?

Ganesh Tuesday, 02 August 2022 09:13 PM

See the name of the Singapore Minister, it is Shunmugam. Clearly he is a Tamil. When Britain was ruling Malaya, present day Malaysia and Singapore, it recruited people from Jaffna to work in the offices and schools but recruited Indians and Chinese to work as labourers and street cleaners.

Hethupala Yamanasinga Wednesday, 03 August 2022 02:16 AM

Do not give anything. He is a big thief of SL - made SL poor!!

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Gotabaya Rajapaksa ‘not accorded any privileges’ in S’pore: MFA

Comments - 15

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