India won't be sending troops to Sri Lanka, says High Commission
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The speculative media reports about India sending troops to Colombo to maintain peace amid protests were dismissed by the Indian High Commission.
The Indian mission tweeted "the High Commission would like to categorically deny speculative reports in sections of media and social media about sending her troops to Sri Lanka. These reports and such views are also not in keeping with the position of the Government of India".
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India stated on Tuesday the country is "fully supportive" of Sri Lanka's democracy, stability, and economic recovery. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India will always be guided by the best interests of the people of Sri Lanka expressed through democratic processes.
A day ago, the Indian mission had refuted the reports that former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family members fled to India. Officials called this news "fake and blatantly false". After Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned from his post on Monday and left his office-cum-official residence, his whereabouts have been speculated.
As Sri Lanka is amid economic turmoil, Rajapaksa supporters attacked anti-government protesters which led to a nationwide curfew. Troops were deployed to Colombo, but pro-Rajapaksa politicians were widely attacked. A group surrounded the naval base in the eastern port district of Trincomalee as the PM was suspected to have taken refuge there.
At least eight people have died, and over 250 people have been injured in the clashes. Several properties belonging to politicians were also set on fire.
Sri Lanka has been struggling with an economic crisis since 2019, and it has led to high levels of inflation, near-depletion of foreign exchange reserves, shortage of medical supplies, and price hikes of basic commodities. Many allege that the economic crisis is largely attributed to economic mismanagement by the government.
President Gotabaya was also asked to resign, but he asked people to stop the violence and acts of revenge against fellow citizens. He added that the country's worst political and economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain will be addressed.