Sri Lanka's ex-leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves Singapore: Report | World News

Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Singapore Thursday, the city-state's immigration workplace mentioned, after his social go to move expired.

"The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) confirms that Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Singapore on 11 August 2022," the workplace mentioned in reply to an AFP question.

It didn't say the place the previous chief was headed to however the Thai international ministry, in addition to a supply in Colombo, mentioned Wednesday he was in search of a brand new protected haven in Thailand.

Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives on July 13 after which to Singapore, the place he introduced his resignation after months of protests over Sri Lanka's financial meltdown.

Tens of 1000's of individuals overran his official residence final month over acute shortages of meals, gas and medication endured by Sri Lanka's 22 million individuals since late final yr.

"His Singapore visa runs out on Thursday," a detailed affiliate of Rajapaksa advised AFP in Colombo.

"He had utilized for an extension, however it had not come by way of as of Wednesday morning."

The supply mentioned Rajapaksa now deliberate to go to Thailand for a brief keep and return to Singapore.

The Thai international ministry confirmed it had obtained a request from Colombo for the 73-year-old deposed chief to go to Thailand and an assurance that he wouldn't search political asylum there.

"The Thai aspect obtained a request for the previous president to enter Thailand from the present authorities of Sri Lanka," ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat mentioned in a press release.

"The keep is momentary in nature with the intention of onward journey. No political asylum has been sought."

Sri Lankans arriving in Singapore get a 30-day visa, however Singapore authorities mentioned that they had initially given Rajapaksa solely two weeks and later prolonged the visa by one other two weeks.

The Rajapaksa confidant advised AFP that he was eager to return house as protests in opposition to his administration had fizzled out, however his successor Ranil Wickremesinghe had suggested him in opposition to an early return.