(Image source from: asiaone.com)

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the ex-President of Sri Lanka fled from the country after he predicted the outrage of the public. He flew down to the Maldives and then to Singapore after which he submitted his resignation. Sri Lanka has been struggling to bounce back from the huge financial mess. The government of Singapore issued a new visa for Gotabaya Rajapaksa and allowed him to stay back in the country for the next two weeks. Sri Lanka's cabinet spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena said that Gotabaya Rajapaksa is not hiding and he will return back to the country from Singapore very soon. Gotabaya Rajapaksa is yet to issue an official statement for the same.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa landed in Singapore on July 14th on a private visit from the Maldives. Gotabaya Rajapaksa's visa is now extended till August 11th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore confirmed that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was allowed to the country on his private visit and he as not asked about any asylum. Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived at the Changi Airport and he stayed in a hotel in the city. He then moved to a private residence and it was not disclosed. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was never seen in public during his Singapore visit. The government of Sri Lanka is tight-lipped about the return of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Ranil Wickremesinghe has been elected as the successor of Gotabaya Rajapaksa. After 44 years, the Parliament of Sri Lanka elected a President directly.

By Siva Kumar