India clears stance, says not sending troops to Sri Lanka
Amid the political turmoil in Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission has dismissed speculative media reports about the country sending its troops to Colombo, where thousands of protestors have stormed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence following his escape. The President announced his resignation on Saturday.
The angry protestors also seem to have set Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence on fire. The Prime Minister also announced that he will step down from his position once the new government is formed.
In response to the speculations on the situation in Sri Lanka and India’s stand on it, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Arindam Bagchi said: “We are aware of the many challenges that Sri Lanka and its people have been facing, and as we have stood with the Sri Lankan people as they have tried to overcome this difficult period.”
The spokesperson further said that India will continue to closely follow the situation in neighbouring Sri Lanka as the crisis-hit country seeks to realize its aspirations for prosperity and progress through democratic means and values, established institutions and a constitutional framework.
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External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said: “We had given Sri Lanka a line of credit, which has kept essential commodities flowing to them for the past several months. We have also provided them with a line of credit for the purchase of fuel. This year alone, we have pledged $3.8 billion in support to Sri Lanka.”
As per reports, the Indian Coast Guard hovercraft operation from Mandapam base near Rameshwaram is on high alert along the maritime border with Sri Lanka to prevent the influx of illegal migrants from the country that is facing an economic crisis.
The US ambassador to Sri Lanka has also made similar statements and has said that the country is closely watching the political development in Sri Lanka.
He said: “It is a fragile moment, we urge restraint from all directions. All parties must cooperate for a democratic transition of power. We condemn violence against peaceful protestors and journalists.
The protestors inside the president’s residence are being seen cooking food and engaging in recreational activities as they continue to remain there amid ongoing protests against the country’s financial turmoil.
