India 'categorically' denies sending troops to violence-hit Sri Lanka

Colombo/New Delhi: India on Wednesday “categorically” denied speculative reports in sections of media and social media in Sri Lanka about sending her troops to the island nation, that is engulfed in political turbulence.

“The High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about India sending her troops to Sri Lanka,” the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

“These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of India.” “The Spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs of India clearly stated yesterday that India is fully supportive of Sri Lanka's democracy, stability and economic recovery,” the statement added.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson had said in a statement yesterday that it is “fully supportive of its democracy, stability and economic recovery” and that New Delhi “will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes”.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said that India has extended over USD 3.5 billion worth assistance to Sri Lanka as part of its neighbourhood policy to help the island nation tackle its food and fuel shortage.

Late on Tuesday night, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka also strongly denied rumours circulating on social media that “certain” political persons and their families had fled to India, amid rumours that former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has fled to India.

The Indian High Commission said the rumours are “fake and blatantly false and devoid of any truth or substance”.

“High Commission has recently noticed rumours circulating in sections of media & social media that certain political persons and their families have fled to India. “These are fake and blatantly false reports, devoid of any truth or substance. High Commission strongly denies them,” it said.

Sri Lanka has been engulfed in a spiral of political violence since Monday, after pro-government mobs clashed with the anti-government protesters in Colombo.

The violence refused to die down despite the resignation of Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. On Tuesday protesters gathered outside the Trincomalee Naval Base amid reports that Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members are gathered there, and that they may flee the country.

Sri Lankan social media was rife with rumours that Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family have fled to India, media reports said. (UNI)