INTERNATIONAL DESK: India strongly denied reports that it had facilitated president Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s escape to the Maldives and reiterated support for the Sri Lankan people. The denial followed media reports and speculation in political circles in Sri Lanka that India might have used its close links with the Maldivian government to provide a safe exit to the president.

Sources here also denied that there was any official request from Gotabaya to land in India. According to reports from Male, the president arrived in the Maldives in a military aircraft with his wife and two security officials. Former president and Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, who has spent years in exile in Sri Lanka and has close ties with most leaders in Colombo, apparently ensured that Gotabaya’s aircraft was granted permission to land in Male.

The Indian high commission categorically denied “baseless and speculative” media reports that India facilitated the “recent reported travel” of Gotabaya. “It is reiterated that India will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realise their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established democratic institutions and constitutional framework,” said the Indian mission, echoing the statement by MEA last week.

India’s statements on the situation in Sri Lanka have been deliberately anodyne as the government doesn’t want to say anything that can be misinterpreted. “India obviously will not encourage mob violence but it also can’t ask people not to protest because it will be seen as support for political leaders who are being blamed for the current situation,” said a source.

Rajapaksa, who enjoys immunity from prosecution while he is president, fled the country before resigning to avoid the possibility of arrest by the new government. He is expected to be in the Maldives in transit before flying on Wednesday to another destination. There was speculation that he could take shelter in Singapore.

Rajapaksa is likely to send his resignation letter only after reaching his final destination on Wednesday evening, Sri Lanka’s ‘The Morning’ news portal reported, citing highly placed government sources. (The Times of India)