Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves Singapore for Thailand after short-term visit pass expires

11 August 2022 07:18 pm - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left Singapore, after his short-term visit pass expired on Thursday (Aug 11).

Responding to media queries, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said on Thursday that Mr Rajapaksa left Singapore on Thursday, the Straits Times reported.

On Thursday evening, Mr Rajapaksa boarded a flight from Singapore to Bangkok, after Thailand confirmed a day before that it had received a request from the current Sri Lankan government for him to visit the country.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that permission was granted on humanitarian grounds, reported the Bangkok Post, while Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said Mr Rajapaksa will enter the country on a diplomatic passport, which would allow him to stay for 90 days.

Thailand is the second South-east Asian country Mr Rajapaksa is seeking temporary shelter in after he fled his island nation last month amid mass protests.

He flew to Singapore on July 14, via the Maldives, following unprecedented unrest triggered by Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis in seven decades, and days after thousands of protesters stormed the president's official residence and office.

Shortly after he arrived in Singapore, Mr Rajapaksa, 73, tendered his resignation as the country's leader.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said on his arrival in Singapore that the former president had been allowed entry on a private visit on a 14-day visit pass and had not asked for asylum.

This pass was later extended for another 14 days.

While in Singapore, Mr Rajapaksa kept a low profile and was not seen in public.

He initially stayed at a hotel in the city centre, but was believed to have moved to a private residence.

It is not clear how long Mr Rajapaksa will remain in Thailand or what his next destination may be.

Mr Don said the Thai government believed Mr Rajapaksa's stay would not cause any trouble for Thailand, and that the Sri Lankan government did not oppose the decision, according to the Bangkok Post.

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Comments - 9

Day will follow night Thursday, 11 August 2022 07:40 PM

He has to face the music one day or another. A murderer, carpet bombed 140,000 innocent children, men and women on the pretext of eradicating the Tamil militant forces and was involved in bribery and corruption. KARMA will follow him.

sam Thursday, 11 August 2022 07:43 PM

New system where the SL government requesting private visas for individuals. Great to know what is available to us.

Mizaru Thursday, 11 August 2022 08:05 PM

Why did Nandasena flee Sri Lanka ? No idea. Why is Nandasena shy of returning to Sri Lanka? He is frightened of the law. Now that he is not above the law all the court cases such as building tomes for his parents for tax payers money will be reactivated. Then the murders and disappearances.

Massdeen Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:07 PM

Yes he has many cases to face here until RW influences with the judiciary to acquitted him from all cases then he will return to SL the two brothers playing from under cover

Anthony. R Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:09 PM

Next destination the Welikada Prison. Repercussions for sure. "Karma " is sure No Way out.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 11 August 2022 09:09 PM

Who thought these events would take place to you. Gnannaka to failed.

Manal Perera Thursday, 11 August 2022 11:46 PM

Aragalaya, you can chase RW too, before this nasty old crook ruin the country and waste all the sacrifices we made.

Chamari Friday, 12 August 2022 05:16 AM

Does anyone seriously think that he didn't get rid of all the material pertaining to the cases against him? Karma is something I believed in but not anymore. With RW in power all the rajapakshas including all slpp crooks will be safe. Don't forget how he saved Mahendran and WW.

DW Friday, 12 August 2022 07:30 AM

Rajapakses' were destroying the country for many years. Sri Lankans didn't take any action. In fact, they supported them. Sri Lankans only realised the damage when it was too late.

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Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves Singapore for Thailand after short-term visit pass expires

Comments - 9

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