Indian High Commission dismisses reports of Sri Lankan politicians, family fleeing to India

New Delhi, May 10: The Indian High Commission in Colombo on Tuesday rubbished reports that some Sri Lankan politicians and their families had fled to India.

"The High Commission has recently noticed rumours circulating in sections of media & social media that certain political persons and their families have fled to India. These are fake and blatantly false reports, devoid of any truth or substance. The High Commission strongly denies them," the Indian Commission wrote on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, several media reports surfaced in Sri Lankan media claiming that some politicians had fled as anti-government protests intesified after some protesters were killed in police action.

A protest began in front of Sri Lanka's Trincomalee Naval Base on Tuesday after reports emerged that former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and some of his family members were there after leaving the official residence in Colombo.

Violence erupted in Sri Lanka on Monday after supporters of then prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attacked peaceful anti-government protesters demanding his ouster over the country's worst economic crisis that led to acute shortages of staple food, fuel and power.

Over 200 people have also been injured in the violence in Colombo and other cities.

On Monday, 76-year-old Mahinda Rajapaksa, resigned as prime minister amid unprecedented economic turmoil, hours after his supporters attacked anti-government protesters, prompting authorities to impose a nationwide curfew and deploy Army troops in the capital.

There have been protests over soaring prices and power cuts since last month. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The crisis is caused in part by a lack of foreign currency, which has meant that the country cannot afford to pay for imports of staple foods and fuel, leading to acute shortages and very high prices.

with PTI inputs