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Sri Lanka continues to probe over alleged coup attempt

Xinhua, May 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Sri Lanka on Wednesday said that it was still investigating allegations of an alleged coup attempt during the January 8 presidential elections.

President Maithripala Sirisena said that in his opinion there was no "conspiracy" but some sort of discussions had taken place in an attempt to prevent the new government from taking power.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had filed a police complaint alleging that former President Mahinda Rajapakse and some members of his government had attempted to stage a coup by using the military and the police.

Rajapakse however denied the claims and said that the discussion held at his house was only to ensure a smooth transfer of power to the new president.

"The investigations into this incident are still continuing," Sirisena said.

He said that there was information to the effect that there was an attempt by the former regime to impose a curfew soon after the January 8 presidential elections which Sirisena won.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse had also been accused of allegedly being involved in the coup attempt but he had also denied the claims. Endi