Lanka denies reports accusing RAW of plot to assassinate Sirisena : The Tribune India

quick links

States

Cities

Opinion

Life

Move Ahead

Classified

Reach Us

The Tribune

Punjabi Tribune

Dainik Tribune

Lanka denies reports accusing RAW of plot to assassinate Sirisena

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. — AFP

Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, October 17

The Sri Lankan government on Wednesday categorically denied reports that President Maithripala Sirisena has alleged a plot being hatched by India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) to assassinate him.

Sections of local and international news media reports on Tuesday claimed that at a Sri Lankan government cabinet meeting held on October 16, Sirisena reportedly mentioned "involvement of an Indian intelligence service in the alleged plot to assassinate him".

Following the sensational report with possible damaging consequences for bilateral ties, President Sirisena today spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify the matter. "He mentioned that the mischievous and malafide reports were utterly baseless and false, and seemed intended to create misunderstanding between the two leaders as well as damage the cordial relations between the two friendly neighbours. The President apprised the Prime Minister of the urgent steps taken by him personally and the Government of Sri Lanka to publicly reject these reports," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

"The Prime Minister appreciated the prompt steps taken by the President and his government to firmly refute the malicious reports by publicly clarifying the matters," added the statement.

Earlier this morning, Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Sandhu called on President Sirisena to discuss the issue. "The PMD (President's Media Division) wishes to clarify that the President has not mentioned any involvement of an lndian intelligence service in the alleged plot to assassinate him. In the said Cabinet meeting yesterday, the discussions have taken place on the alleged plot to assassinate the President. In the meeting, the President emphasised the need to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assassination plot," said an official government statement.

The sensational report was published just days ahead of the upcoming visit of Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to India.

Calling the media reports 'baseless and false', the foreign ministry said, "The Ministry wishes to emphasise that relations between Sri Lanka and India, including at the highest levels of government, are strong, encompassing multiple spheres, including intelligence sharing."

In 2015, then President Mahinda Rajapaksa blamed RAW for plotting his defeat in the elections held leading to a regime change.