An individual against whom travel bans had been imposed by two magistrate courts has been arrested after attempting to flee the country via air, it was reported.
According to Ceylon Today, the Point Pedro and Mallakam Magistrates had imposed travel bans on the 45-year-old man from Jaffna.
The suspect who had managed to bypass Immigration officials and board a flight to India, was apprehended and deported by Indian authorities upon his arrival in Mumbai yesterday (Aug. 30).
A fellow Australian passenger who had noticed the suspect discreetly avoiding immigration clearance had alerted officials at the Katunyake airport, but the suspect had managed to escape their clutches and board the flight heading to Mumbai.
After reviewing CCTV footage, the authorities were able to identify the passenger and cross-reference his passport and boarding pass details, following which it was found that he was on a no-fly list.
As the flight had entered Indian airspace, Sri Lankan authorities had taken steps to inform the Captain and Operations Manager at the Mumbai Airport of the situation.
Upon his arrival, the suspect was arrested and deported to Sri Lanka, after which he was taken into custody by Immigration and Emigration officers at the Katunayake Airport. (NewsWire)