List of international presidential trips made by Gotabaya Rajapaksa

This is a list of international presidential trips made by Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who served as the 8th President of Sri Lanka from 18 November 2019 to 14 July 2022. Rajapaksa did not make any visits in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary of international trips

During his term, Gotabaya Rajapaksa made 6 foreign trips to 6 countries.

No. of visits Country
2 Singapore
1 India, Maldives, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

2019

Country Areas visited Date(s) Purpose(s) Notes
1  India New Delhi 28–30 November Official visit
See also: India–Sri Lanka relations
State visit at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rajapaksa met Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar and engaged in bilateral discussions with the Prime Minister. Rajapaksa's first overseas visit after being elected.[1][2][3]

2021

Country Areas visited Date(s) Purpose(s) Notes
2  United States New York City 18–26 September United Nations General Assembly & bilateral meetings
See also: United States-Sri Lanka relations
To attend the 76st United Nations General Assembly session, where he delivered a special address. Rajapaksa will hold bilateral discussions with several heads of states.[4]
3  United Kingdom Glasgow, Scotland 30 October–13 November 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference
See also: Sri Lanka–United Kingdom relations
Rajapaksa visited 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference.[5]
4  United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi 3–5 December Indian Ocean Conference Rajapaksa visited the United Arab Emirates to attend the Indian Ocean Conference.[6]
5  Singapore Singapore 13–16 December Private visit Rajapaksa visited Singapore on an unscheduled personal visit for medical purposes.[7][8][9]

2022

Country Areas visited Date(s) Purpose(s) Notes
6  Maldives Malé 13–14 July Self-exile and resignation
See also: Maldives–Sri Lanka relations
Accompanied by his spouse and a personal security detail, Rajapaksa fled from Sri Lanka on 13 July following widespread protests led by civilians demanding his resignation, triggered by extensive discontent over his handling of the country's economic crisis.[10]
 Singapore Singapore 14 July–11 August After staying in the Maldives for two days, Rajapaksa further retreated to Singapore on 14 July. The same day, whilst in exile, Rajapaksa resigned from the presidency, becoming the first Sri Lankan president to relinquish the office mid-term.[11][12]

Multilateral meetings participated in by Rajapaksa

Group Year
2019 2020 2021 2022
ACD none none none none
CHOGM
G-15
NAM
SCO
SAARC
Others UN Climate Change
31 October,
Glasgow
Indian Ocean Conference
3 December,
Abu Dhabi
██ = Did not attend; ██ = Future event

References

  1. ^ "ජනපති ඉන්දියාවේ රාජ්‍ය චාරිකාවක් අරඹයි – ජනාධිපති මාධ්‍ය ඒකකය". 2 December 2019. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  2. ^ Mushtaq, Munza. "Sri Lanka's new president embarks on visit to India". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  3. ^ "ඉන්දීය විදේශ ඇමති ජනපති ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මැතිතුමා හමු වෙයි. – ජනාධිපති මාධ්‍ය ඒකකය". 1 December 2019. Archived from the original on 1 December 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  4. ^ "President leaves for the US to attend United Nations General Assembly… – Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka". Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  5. ^ "President leaves for Glasgow to attend UN COP26… – Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka". Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  6. ^ "President arrives in Abu Dhabi to attend the Indian Ocean Conference… – Presidential Secretariat of Sri Lanka". Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  7. ^ "President leaves the country on a private visit". NewsWire. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa suspends Parliament; leaves for Singapore". The Hindu. 13 December 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  9. ^ "President leaves for Singapore for medical check-up – Front Page | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Sri Lankan president flees to Maldives, protesters storm prime minister's office". www.reuters.com. 14 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Sri Lanka political dynasty ends as Rajapaksa quits". www.bbc.com. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Gotabaya Rajapaksa becomes Sri Lanka's first-ever president to resign after fleeing country". www.sbs.com.au. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
Official