21 Sri Lankan Nationals Deported from UAE Over Alleged Criminal Links

Twenty-one Sri Lankan nationals accused of involvement in criminal activities and detained in the United Arab Emirates have been deported back to Sri Lanka, according to local media reports.

The group, which includes two women and 19 men from different regions of Sri Lanka, was reportedly arrested by UAE security authorities after allegedly being found with drone footage, missile-related videos, and photographs connected to conflict zones in the Middle East stored on their mobile phones.

Authorities said the individuals had been held in remand custody in the UAE before being deported.

The deportees arrived aboard two Air Arabia flights — G9-587 and G9-502 — departing from Sharjah.

The flights were initially scheduled to land at Bandaranaike International Airport at around 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. However, severe weather conditions in the Katunayake area forced both aircraft to divert to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.

After weather conditions improved, the flights later departed Mattala and successfully arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport around 8:10 a.m.

Officials stated that ten individuals arrived on flight G9-587, including residents from Colombo, Minuwangoda, Gampaha, Ragama, Anuradhapura, Embilipitiya, and Negombo.

The remaining eleven individuals arrived on flight G9-502 and included residents from Colombo, Marawila, Puttalam, Wariyapola, Dehiwala, along with one Sri Lankan expatriate previously living in the UAE.

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the group was questioned by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department at the airport.

After statements were recorded, the individuals were handed over to their respective local police stations for further investigations and legal proceedings.

Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the full nature of the alleged criminal links or whether additional charges may be filed against the deported individuals in Sri Lanka.

Courtesy: adaderana