No immunity for Rajapaksa, says Singapore
SINGAPORE’S foreign minister said on Monday (1) that former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not being accorded any privileges or immunity in his country.
Rajapaksa landed in the island nation on July 14, a day after fleeing his crisis-ridden country via the Maldives. It followed 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.
Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena told reporters in Colombo last Tuesday (26) that Rajapaksa was not in hiding and that he was expected to return to his country. He added that the government had not been informed about his travel plans.
“He is not in hiding and my understanding is that he will return, but if there is anything to the contrary, the state authorities will inform him and ensure there is no danger for the ex-president,” Gunawardena said.
However, Sri Lanka’s new president Ranil Wickremesinghe said last Sunday (31) it was not the right time for Rajapaksa to return to the country as it could inflame political tensions, the Wall Street Journal reported.
“I don’t believe it’s the time for him to return,” Wickremesinghe told the Journal. “I have no indication of him returning soon.”
Wickremesinghe has remained in contact with Rajapaksa to deal with administrative handover issues and other government business, it added.
Wickremesinghe also told the newspaper it would be months before Sri Lankans would see any marked improvement in their economic circumstances.
He also said last Saturday (30) that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund has reportedly been pushed back to September due to the unrest over the past weeks.