India denies influencing vote in Lanka Presidential poll

India has categorically denied reports that it has tried to influence voting in the Sri Lankan Presidential election taking place on Wednesday. The High Commission said in a tweet: “We have seen baseless and purely speculative media reports about efforts at political level from India to influence political leaders in Sri Lanka regarding elections in the Sri Lankan Parliament to the  the post of the President of Sri Lanka.” “We categorically deny these media reports as completely false. They are clearly a figment of someone’s imagination.  It is reiterated that India supports the realization of aspirations of the people of Sri Lanka in accordance with democratic means and values, established institutions as well as constitutional provisions, and doesn’t interfere in internal affairs and democratic processes of another country.” There have been reports that Indian officials had tried to influence the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to vote for opposition leader Sajith Premadasa first on Monday, and then Dullas Alahapperuma on Tuesday after Premadasa’s withdrawal in favour of Alahapperumal