Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has departed for Singapore from the Maldives on a Saudi Airlines flight earlier today.
Unconfirmed reports have said that the embittered President touched down in the Maldives yesterday upon direct orders from the Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed to give diplomatic clearance for his arrival.
But the Maldivian public expressed their outrage against their authorities for allowing the President, who faces a war crime investigation, to find refuge within the country's borders.
In a clear turnaround, it has been reported that Gotabaya has now left the Maldives and is on his way to Singapore.
It was reported that the Sri Lankan President had boarded Saudi Airline flight SV788 which departed around 11:30 am this morning.
Reports have said that his ticket was issued from the Airline's office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
President Gotabaya had been staying at Ithaafushi resort and had traveled to Velaana International Airport on the resort launch. Witnesses have confirmed that the launch was escorted to the airport by MNDF sea vessels.
Meanwhile a trusted source has confirmed to 'The Press' that Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed had visited President Gotabya at Ithafushi resort this morning. The newspaper has also come to know that Nasheed had accompanied the President to Hulhule and that President Gotabaya was escorted to the VIA VIP lounge by MNDF Special Forces.
None of these details have been confirmed by the government or any official sources.
