Ousted ex President Rajapaksa seeks brief stay in Thailand: Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Thailand Government has confirmed that Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sought entry into their country.

Mr. Tanee Sangrat, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, responding to a media query on the visit of  Mr Rajapaksa has confirmed the request.
Mr Sangrat gave no dates of the visit, though Mr Rajapaksa is set to enter Thailand on Thursday.
 
“The Thai side received a request for the former President to enter Thailand from the current government of Sri Lanka. The consideration was based on long-standing and cordial ties between the two countries,” Mr  Sangrat explained in a Twitter message.
 
“ As a holder of a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport, former President can enter Thailand w/o a visa for 90 days, per 2013 Agreement on Visa Exemption between Thailand+Sri Lanka. The stay’s temporary w/ aim of onward travel. No political asylum’s been sought,” he explained.
 
Mr Rajapaksa left Sri Lanka on July 13 to the Maldives and on the following day he left for Singapore and has been there up to date.