Sri Lanka rubbishes RAW assassination plot reports

President Maithripala Sirisena has not mentioned any involvement of an Indian intelligence service or the government of India in the alleged plot to assassinate him, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said today.

The PMD issued a statement in response to some recent local and international media reports alleging that reference was made to an Indian intelligence service at the Cabinet Meeting held on Tuesday, October 16th.

This was in reference to the news report carried by The Hindu alleging that the President told his cabinet that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was attempting to plot his assassination.

Quoting unnamed sources who were allegedly present at the meeting, The Hindu claimed that President Sirisena alleged RAW’s hand in his assassination plot, while also asserting that “PM Modi may be unaware of the plan.”

However, the President’s Media Division rubbished these reports in a statement issued today (17).

“The PMD wishes to clarify that the President has not mentioned any involvement of an Indian intelligence service or the government of India 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, the PMD conceded.

“In the meeting, the President emphasized the need to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assassination plot.”

The PMD further said that among other topics discussed at various times during the said Cabinet Meeting, was the development of the Eastern terminal of the Colombo port. “The President highlighted the importance of Sri Lanka having a deep sea port terminal in the interest of the national economy.”

The statement added that India and Sri Lanka have maintained extremely cordial relations and cooperation since the inception of this government. Several highest level visits have taken place between the two nations that have resulted in strengthening cooperation in many fields.

The PMD also stated that, the High Commissioner of India Shri Taranjith Singh Sandhu called on President Sirisena this morning and during the meeting, all matters were clarified and bilateral relations were reassured with highest cordiality.

“In these circumstances, it is very unfortunate that some parties with vested interests resort to spreading such malevolent manipulations detrimental to the existing good relations between the two countries as well as the excellent personal rapport between the two leaders,” the statement said.