India Dismisses ‘Baseless’ Reports That Said It Helped Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Flee

Gotabaya, who is due to offer his resignation today, landed in Maldivian capital Malé, along with his wife and two bodyguards in an Antonov-32 military aircraft

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka has refuted media reports of India facilitating Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's exit from the country as ‘baseless’ and ‘speculative’. Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives early Wednesday amid economic crisis and escalating violence in the island nation. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is to be sworn in as the caretaker President on Wednesday until a new President is elected by parliament on July 20 after nominations for the post takes place on July 19.

In a tweet the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said, "High Commission categorically denies baseless and speculative media reports that India facilitated the recent reported travel of @gotabayar @Realbrajapaksa out of Sri Lanka."

"It is reiterated that India will continue to support the people of Sri Lanka as they seek to realize their aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established democratic institutions and constitutional framework," it added.

Wickremesinghe, who is also unpopular, and was forced to step down from his post said he would resign for the safety of all the citizens and make way for a unity government.

Gotabaya, who is due to offer his resignation today, landed in Maldivian capital Malé, along with his wife and two bodyguards in an Antonov-32 military aircraft, according to the news agency ANI.

In a statement, the Sri Lankan Air Force clarified that the move was carried out under the executive powers vested with the president, the news agency further reported.

The Prime Minister's Office also confirmed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaving the country.

On July 11, Gotabaya resigned from his post and the resignation letter is scheduled to be handed over to the Speaker of Parliament to make a public announcement today (July 13).

Parliament speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Monday announced that political party leaders have decided to elect new President on July 20 through a vote in parliament.

Sri Lanka is in the middle of the worst economic crisis that has triggered massive protests and demand for ouster of Gotabaya as the President. Thousands of protesters stormed into the President's House in Fort on July 9. The dramatic visuals from PM's official residence showed public playing carrom board, sleeping on the sofa, enjoying in park premises and preparing dinner.

As the country battles its record food price inflation, rising fuel costs and massive commodity shortages, around 61 per cent of households in Sri Lanka are trying to tackle the situation by cutting down on costs, reducing the amount they eat and consuming increasingly less nutritious meals.