Thailand Premier confirms Gotabaya will stay on temporarily

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday confirmed the former President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa will temporarily stay in the country to look for permanent asylum in another country, the Bangkok Post stated.

The Prime Minister also said Rajapaksa promised not to conduct political activities in the kingdom during his search for a third country that will offer him permanent refuge. 

Thailand Foreign Ministry also said it has received a request for former Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to visit the country, but he has no intention of seeking political asylum, adding Thailand saw no problem with him entering on a diplomatic passport to stay for 90-days as per a 2013 agreement on visa exemption between the two countries.

On 13 July, Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives and the following day he fled to Singapore on a visit visa during which the former President tendered his resignation and has been in the country to date.