Ousted Sri Lankan president arrives in Thailand after Singapore stay

Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who last month fled anti-government protests in his country, arrived in Thailand on Thursday night on a flight from Singapore, where he had been staying since mid-July.

Thai television stations showed Mr Rajapaksa and a woman believed to be his wife outside the VIP hall at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport as they were led to a limousine, which then drove off to an undisclosed destination.

Officials in Thailand on Wednesday said they had been asked by the Sri Lankan government to allow him entry, and that he would be permitted to stay temporarily.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was aware of Mr Rajapaksa’s intended visit and that it was allowed for humanitarian reasons because the former president was seeking asylum in a third country.

He did not elaborate but said Mr Rajapaksa would not engage in political activity while in Thailand.

Read More : https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/asia/2022/08/12/ousted-sri-lankan-president-arrives-in-thailand-after-singapore-stay/