Gotabaya Rajapaksa Now in Thailand

COLOMBO, (ANI) – Former Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Thailand August 11 evening following his departure from Singapore.

Rajapaksa was granted entry into Thailand following a request from the Sri Lankan government, NewsWire reported.

He left Singapore on August 10 after nearly a month’s stay in Singapore. The former president was issued a 14-day visit pass when he arrived at the Changi Airport in Singapore from the Maldives last month and he was allowed to stay there for two weeks.

Meanwhile, Thailand has denied reports that the former Sri Lankan President has sought asylum in the country. The Thailand Foreign Ministry said it received a request from Rajapaksa to visit the country with no intention of seeking political asylum.

“Thailand saw no problem with Rajapaksa entering on a diplomatic passport, which would allow him to stay 90 days,” Daily Mirror reported, quoting Thailand Ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat as saying.

Thailand would be the second Southeast Asian country after the Maldives that Rajapaksa is seeking temporary shelter in after fleeing his island nation last month amid mass protests.