Sri Lankan president phones Modi to deny he said India is involved in assassination plot

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the telephone to categorically reject reports in sections of the media about him alluding to India’s involvement in any manner in an alleged plot to assassinate him and the former defence secretary of Sri Lanka Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The Lankan president said on Wednesday that the “mischievous and mala-fide reports were utterly baseless and false and seemed intended to  create misunderstanding between the two leaders  as well as damage the relations  between the two friendly countries.”

President Sirisena apprised the Indian prime minister of the urgent steps being taken by him personally and the government of Sri Lanka, to publicly reject these false reports.

In this context Sirisen also recalled his meeting with the High Commissioner of India earlier in the day.

The Lankan President also stated that the he regards the Indian Prime Minister as a true friend of Sri Lanka and also as a close personal friend.

Sirisena stressed that he “greatly values” the mutually beneficial ties between India and Sri Lanka, and “remains steadfast on working with the Indian Prime Minister for further strengthening the ties.”

MODI’S REACTION

The Indian prime minister appreciated the prompt steps taken by the Sri Lankan President and his government to “firmly refute the malicious reports by publicly clarifying matters.”

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s emphasis on following the “Neighborhood First policy” and the priority the Government of India and he personally attach to developing even stronger all round cooperation between the two countries.     

THE ISSUE

Explaining the background to the controversy, a press release from the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said that at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, there were  discussions  on the alleged plot to assassinate President Sirisena and former defence secretary Gotabhaya.

The president, who chaired the meeting, emphasised the need to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged assassination plot.

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

“India and Sri Lanka have maintained 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 press release noted.

The High Commissioner of India Taranjit Singh Sandhu called on the President on Wednesday in which “all matters were clarified and good bilateral relations were reassured,” the release added.