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Public outrage over Maldives assistance to Gotabhaya, Foreign ministry declines to comment

Mohamed Rehan
13 July 2022, MVT 10:16
Gotabaya Rajapaksa (AFP)
Mohamed Rehan
13 July 2022, MVT 10:16

Outrage over

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has refrained from commenting on embattled Sri Lankan president's arrival in the Maldives.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who earlier promised of stepping down from presidency officially on July 13 and pave way for a "peaceful transition" had on early Wednesday morning arrived in the island nation via a military aircraft.

Rajapaksa, who had fled from home country after months of widespread protests against Sri Lanka's "worst-ever" economic crisis; which many blame was due to the president's poor governance, had on Saturday, July 9, absconded from his presidential palace after hordes of angry protestors stormed inside the compound.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian government's decision to provide sanctuary for the embattled Sri Lankan president had not been welcomed by all.

The situation appears intense, since the spokesperson from Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a WhatsApp group specific for local media outlets, had declined making any official statements.

At the time, the Maldives government has not made any official statements about Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking sanctuary in the island nation, or his exact whereabouts.

International news agencies report Gotabaya, his wife and a bodyguard were passengers on board an Antonov-32 military aircraft which took off from Sri Lanka's main airport.

The Sri Lankan Air Force had stated its decision for providing safe passage to Rajapaksa and his wife did not breach the country's Constitution or laws.

The Air Force defended its actions claiming it was legal.

However, it was reported that the Maldivian air-traffic control initially denied requests for the flight to land in Velana International Airport (VIA), which was overturned for an approval after the intervention of Maldives Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, reported CNN.

The Parliament Speaker had not provided any official statements regarding the incident to CNN or any other media outlet.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has fled from the country after months of political and economic tension had transitioned into nationwide protests and direct outcries for his immediate resignation.

Previously, the President had side-stepped calls for his resignation by appointing Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister.

His administration's poor economic management and crisis aversion in light of the Covid-19 pandemic coupled with his refusal to heed public notion has made Gotabaya Rajapaksa among the most unpopular leaders Sri Lanka has witnessed.

The Maldivian government's decision to provide sanctuary for a leader who was ill-received by his own citizens has become the subject of intense debate and polarization of opinion among the general public of the Maldives as well.

Many criticized this decision by the government, while some had implied the decision would dampen the relationship between Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Some argue the relationship between the people of the two nations will likely be affected in light of this new development.

As Sri Lankan President, Rajapaksa enjoys immunity from arrest, and is believed that he had decided to flee the country to avoid detention upon stepping down from presidency.

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