President Rajapaksa fails to board Singapore-based flight: reports

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who departed for the Maldives amidst the ongoing economic crisis and growing protests demanding his resignation, has not headed to Singapore due to security reasons, foreign media revealed.

As per reports, he was set to board SQ437 flight belonging to Singapore Airlines. However, he was a no-show at the Changi Airport in Singapore.

Foreign media said Velana International Airport was heavily guarded on Wednesday night as President Rajapaksa was set to fly out of the Maldives.

He was expected to depart for Singapore and send his resignation to the Speaker of Parliament after landing there.

According to media reports, he is now in talks with the Maldivian government to secure a private jet for his departure.

Meanwhile, the Maldivian government is facing a huge backlash for accepting the arrival of Sri Lankan President. Sri Lankan expatriates in the Maldives, on Wednesday afternoon, staged a protest against the move and one protester was arrested by the riot police.

UN Special Rapporteur and former Maldives foreign minister, Ahmed Shaheed has also voiced out against offering safe haven to the Sri Lankan President to evade accountability.

Embattled President Rajapaksa flew out of Sri Lanka to the Maldives with his wife Ioma Rajapaksa and two security officers in the early hours of Wednesday.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), later confirmed that it provided a military plane to President Rajapaksa upon a request made by the incumbent government.