Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Says Media Reports on Assassination Plot of President Maithripala Sirisena by RAW Baseless, False

“Attention of Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to media reports attributed to President Sirisena alleging involvement of an Indian Intelligence Service in a plot to assassinate him. We clarify that the reports are baseless and false,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo.

Colombo: Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied the allegations that India’s intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has plotted to assassinate President Maithripala Sirisena. The claims in the matter are disappointing and the media had distorted the subject matter discussed by Sri Lanka President, stated the Ministry.

A report about Tuesday’s meeting falsely quoted President Sirisena as saying, “The Indian national must be a RAW agent trying to kill me. The Indian PM may not be aware. That is often the case. Trump may not be aware of CIA’s similar moves.”

Sri Lankan newspaper Sunday Times on Wednesday quoted Sri Lankan President’s Advisor and Coordinating Secretary, Shiral Lakthilaka as saying, “The President had spoken in general terms about secret services of countries attempting to assassinate leaders. This happens even in America, the President said, and added that the Prime Minister of India might not be aware of it. There was no mention of RAW at all.”

All the media reports that has been attributed to President Sirisena alleging involvement of Indian RAW plotting to assassinate him were clarified as ‘baseless’ and ‘false’ by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo.

Disappointing that matters of this nature have become the subject of distorted&media reports taking the President’s remarks out of context, which has given rise to further media&social media speculation&spread of unfounded fear among public: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

The statement issued by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has caused widespread social media speculation stirring fear among the general public, according to a report. The matter has come to the forefront days before Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s scheduled visit to New Delhi, to discuss bilateral matters with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Joint Cabinet Spokesperson Minister (Dr) Rajitha Senaratne had also refuted the media reports during Cabinet Media briefing on Wednesday morning.

(With ANI inputs)