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Maldives, Singapore or Saudi Arabia: Where is Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa?

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Amrutha Pagad
Amrutha PagadJul 14, 2022 | 17:03

Maldives, Singapore or Saudi Arabia: Where is Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa?

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reportedly left for Singapore from Maldives. Photo: Getty Images

Sri Lanka's capital Colombo saw rare moments of calm on Thursday, July 14, 2022, after days of violence and clashes. The people of Sri Lanka are demanding that their President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and the rest of his Cabinet members including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, resign. But Gotabaya Rajapaksa's whereabouts remain largely speculative. 

Where is President  Gotabaya Rajapaksa? Even after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's announcement that Gotabaya Rajapaksa will resign on July 13, 2022, the President's resignation has not yet come. 

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But he's not to be seen either. 

July 9, 2022: Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his wife Ioma were seen in a viral video boarding a navy ship anchored off Colombo port. 

July 12, 2022: Gotabaya Rajapaksa was stopped by local immigration officials at an airport in Colombo when he tried to board a private flight to flee to Dubai. He was asked to use the common entry area which he refused citing security reasons. 

July 13, 2022: Rajapaksa took a military jet out of Sri Lanka and went to the Maldives. 

July 14, 2022: Reportedly, Rajapaksa and his wife left the Maldives for Singapore at 11:30 am. AFP reported that the plane carrying the President and his wife has landed in Singapore. 

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Singapore Foreign Ministry confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived in the country but will not be given asylum.  

Rajapaksa is reportedly making his way to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. But it isn't conclusive yet. Some reports citing sources say they will remain in Singapore, others say he's actually headed to Dubai, UAE. Reports had also stated that he was heading to the US but his visa request was reportedly rejected by the country. He had renounced his American citizenship ahead of the 2019 elections as Sri Lanka prohibits foreigners from running for the President's post. 

As Sri Lankans chant "Gota Go Home", Gotabaya Rajapaksa is trying to do just that - find another home.  

Sri Lankans say "Gota Go Home" to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Photo: Getty Images

Where is the rest of the Rajapaksa family? On the other hand, members of the Rajapaksa dynasty are also trying to flee the country. Reportedly, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's brother, Basil Rajapaksa, who was the Finance Minister in the past, was also stopped at an airport a few days ago by local officials when he was trying to flee the country. Basil has dual citizenship - Sri Lankan and American. Many believe he has already fled the country. 

Mahinda Rajapaksa (left), Chamal Rajapaksa (middle) and Gotabaya Rajapaksa (right). Photo: Getty Images

Former President and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, his son, and former Defence Minister Chamal Rajapaksa are said to be still in the country. They reportedly face less threat from the people due to their early resignations. 

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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is the current acting President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who also faces demands of resignation. He has promised to resign once the coalition government is elected. 

The Rajapaksa dynasty: Gotabaya's run marks a complete turn of times for the Rajapaksa dynasty in Sri Lanka. The Rajapaksa family ruled over the island nation for nearly 2 decades with an iron fist, running the country like a family business. While the initial economic euphoria built on large international loans earned them the public's approval, the economic downturn also resulted in their fall. 

A picture taken in 2009 after the Rajapaksas announced victory against the LTTE militant group after decades of war. Photo: Getty Images

It needs to be seen how the remaining Rajapaksas will be treated in the country. Reportedly, Mahinda Rajapaksa and others face several cases of embezzlement in various courts in Sri Lanka. 

Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, the Army has been given powers to use necessary force to stop violence and protests. Military tanks are deployed around the Parliament to prevent the building from being overrun by protesters. 

The protesters, who had occupied the Presidential Palace and other government buildings, agreed to hand over the properties to authorities. But the protesters continue to occupy the President's office and Galle Face. 

Last updated: July 14, 2022 | 19:24
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