President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country early yesterday morning (13) and landed on Maldives and wished to leave for the State of Dubai, but the Dubai authorities had rejected the Sri Lankan President’s request due to the risk of protests arising from a large number of Sri Lankans living in the UAE emirate.
Upon being denied, Rajapaksa had wished to leave for Singapore, but a considerable time had passed to negotiate to obtain the necessary approval.
Should a person be denied at entry to a certain state by the Immigration and Emigration Department, he or she is deported to the country of citizenship, according to immigration laws. Had Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced the same situation upon any decision to resign from the presidency, he could have been forced to return to Sri Lanka as an ordinary citizen. But he would be able to return to his homeland with immunity and privileges enjoyed as a Head of State, had he not resigned from the post.
It is in this legal and technical backdrop was Rajapaksa’s resignation deliberately delayed, according to sources.
Accordingly, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is believed to be announcing his resignation upon stability in the country Singapore.
MIAP