SINGAPORE: Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has obtained the 14-day extension of his short-term go to pass (STVP), that will mean he can remain in Singapore until August 11, CNA understands.
He was ousted through office over his country’s economic collapse and fled in order to Maldives before arriving in Singapore on Jul fourteen.
CNA understands that he was initially provided a 14-day STVP.
A Sri Lankan Cabinet spokesperson on Tuesday (Jul 26) said he or she believed Mr Rajapaksa “may eventually think about returning” to his country, though the day of his return remains unknown.
The spokesperson additional that Mr Rajapaksa was not in concealing and would be handled in accordance with his position as a former president upon his return to Sri Lanka.
Last week, Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in response to press queries that “visitors from Sri Lanka who enter Singapore with regards to social visits may generally be issued with a STVP with a length of up to 30 days”.
Those who need to extend their stay in Singapore may utilize online for an expansion of their STVP; and these requests will be assessed on a case-by-case base, ICA added.
Mr Rajapaksa resigned as president shortly after reaching Singapore.
His ally and previous six-time prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in last Thursday night (Jul 21) as his replacement.
Mr Wickremesinghe however continues to be accused of being the proxy of the effective Rajapaksa dynasty that has ruled the country for most of the past 20 years.
Sri Lanka’s economic crisis has left the particular nation’s 22 mil people struggling with disadvantages of essentials. Months of protests hard boiled over when thousands of people stormed the palace of Mister Rajapaksa, forcing your pet to step down this month.
When Mr Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore, the particular Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) mentioned he had entered the country on a “private visit”.
“He has not asked for asylum plus neither has this individual been granted any kind of asylum. Singapore usually does not grant demands for asylum, ” added an MFA spokesperson.