The Sri Lanka Police has extended its appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its relevant authorities for their cooperation in the successful deportation of three wanted suspects to Sri Lanka on 15 January 2026. 

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lanka Police said the deportation was made possible through close coordination and effective collaboration between the Sri Lanka Police and the UAE authorities.

This operation reflects the strong and longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the UAE and underscores the shared commitment of both nations to upholding the rule of law and enhancing regional and international security, the Police Department said.

Sri Lanka Police also acknowledged the continued support of the UAE in previous years, noting that in 2024 and 2025, the UAE facilitated the deportation of eleven wanted suspects to Sri Lanka, further demonstrating its steadfast commitment to addressing transnational crimes.

Commending the professionalism, efficiency, and proactive assistance of the UAE Government and its authorities, the Sri Lanka Police expressed deep gratitude and reaffirmed its intention to further strengthen this collaboration in the collective effort to combat transnational crime and ensure justice and public safety. (Newswire)

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Two US courts have ordered immigration officials not to deport Subramanyam Vedam, the 64-year-old Indian-origin man who spent four decades in prison before his murder conviction was overturned earlier this year. Vedam was nine months old when he came to the US with his parents legally from India. He grew up in State College, where his father taught at Penn State.

An immigration judge stayed his deportation on Thursday until the Bureau of Immigration Appeals decides whether to review his case. That could take several months. Vedam’s lawyers also got a stay the same day in the US District Court in Pennsylvania but said that the case may be on hold given the immigration court ruling.

A False Case

Known by his relatives as “Subu”, Vedam is a legal permanent resident of the US and, according to his lawyer, had his citizenship application accepted before his arrest in 1982 in a murder case. Vedam was accused of killing his friend Thomas Kinser in 1980. He was the last person seen with Kinser and was twice convicted of killing him, despite a lack of witnesses or motive.

In August, a judge overturned his conviction after Vedam’s lawyers found new ballistics evidence that prosecutors had never disclosed.

He was set to walk free from a Pennsylvania prison on October 3 after waiting more than four decades to clear his name but was taken straight into immigration custody.

Vedam is currently detained at a short-term holding centre in Alexandria, Louisiana, that’s equipped with an airstrip for deportations. He was transferred there from central Pennsylvania last week, his relatives told the Associated Press.

Why ICE Wants To Deport Subu

The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is seeking to deport Vedam over his no-contest plea to charges of LSD delivery, filed when he was about 20. His lawyers argue that the four decades he wrongly spent in prison, where he earned degrees and tutored fellow inmates, should outweigh the drug case.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Monday that the reversal in the murder case does not negate the drug conviction.

“Having a single conviction vacated will not stop ICE’s enforcement of the federal immigration law,” Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said in an email.

Family’s Plea

Vedam’s sister said Monday that the family is relieved “that two different judges have agreed that Subu’s deportation is unwarranted while his effort to reopen his immigration case is still pending.”

“We’re also hopeful that the Board of Immigration Appeals will ultimately agree that Subu’s deportation would represent another untenable injustice,” Saraswathi Vedam said, “inflicted on a man who not only endured 43 years in a maximum-security prison for a crime he didn’t commit, but has also lived in the US since he was 9 months old.” (NDTV)

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The Kathmandu Post has reported that Nepal has deported six Sri Lankan nationals linked to the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, following their arrest in Kathmandu.

According to the Nepalese media, the deportation took place on Wednesday after a special operation conducted in coordination with Nepal Police uncovered that the accused had been residing in rented houses across Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

Police investigations claimed that all six were members of the notorious Kehelbaddara Padme gang. The suspects were found to have been living discreetly in Nepal for several weeks, using false identities and claiming to be Indian nationals. Two of them reportedly entered Nepal by air, while the others are believed to have crossed the border from India by land.

Since none of the suspects had committed crimes in Nepal, authorities coordinated with the Department of Immigration to facilitate their deportation in line with Nepali law.

Full report by the Kathmandu Post: 

Nepal has deported six Sri Lankan nationals linked to the murder of underworld leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, also known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa, following their arrest in Kathmandu.

According to the Nepalese media, the deportation took place on Wednesday after a special operation conducted in coordination with Nepal Police uncovered that the accused had been residing in rented houses across Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

According to senior Nepal police sources, the deported individuals are Ishara Sewwandi Weerashingha Pinpura Dewage (26), Jeevathasan Kanakarasa (33), Takshi Nanthakumar (23), Dinesh Shyamantha De Silva Kaludara (49), Kenedy Bastiampillai (35), and Dinesh Nisantha Kumara Wikkrama Arachchige (43).

Ishara Sewwandi, the prime suspect in the killing of Sanjeewa inside the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court in Colombo on February 19, 2024, was on Interpol’s red notice list. The notice had prompted Interpol member countries, including Nepal, to track her movements.

A Nepal Police officer said the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kathmandu had shown particular concern over the case, leading to increased surveillance. “The Interpol National Central Bureau at Nepal Police Headquarters in Naxal deployed a special team to locate and arrest the suspects,” the officer said.

Police investigations claimed that all six were members of the notorious Kehelbaddara Padme gang, a Sri Lankan criminal organisation involved in drug trafficking and organised crime from Malaysia and Dubai. Interpol had also issued a red notice against Padme, who was arrested in Indonesia on August 25. Sri Lankan media have reported that Padme was the mastermind behind Sanjeewa’s assassination.

The suspects were found to have been living discreetly in Nepal for several weeks, using false identities and claiming to be Indian nationals. Two of them reportedly entered Nepal by air, while the others are believed to have crossed the border from India by land.

Since none of the suspects had committed crimes in Nepal, authorities coordinated with the Department of Immigration to facilitate their deportation in line with Nepali law.

A senior immigration official confirmed, “They have been fined as per legal requirements and handed over to Sri Lankan authorities under police supervision.”

Interpol officials noted that such cases of Sri Lankan underworld figures seeking refuge in Nepal are extremely rare, adding that coordination between Nepal Police and the Sri Lankan Embassy was crucial in ensuring their swift deportation. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, says approximately 12 Sri Lankans with mental health issues or substance abuse problems have been repatriated to Sri Lanka from Israel in the recent past. 

Ambassador Nimal Bandara further said the Sri Lankan Embassy urges the concerned families to refrain from sending individuals with such vulnerabilities for foreign employment.

He further revealed that two more Sri Lankans, previously employed in construction work in Israel and who had exhibited inappropriate behaviour, were deported from Israel to Colombo on Thursday (25).

In a statement on social media, Ambassador Nimal Bandara said the two Sri Lankans were sent home via Dubai on FLYDUBAI flight FZ 1636 at 12:40 pm, and that the deportation was carried out at the request of their respective family members.

He further said that one individual had been roaming in various locations instead of attending work due to drug abuse, while the second had absconded from his workplace due to mental stress and was similarly wandering without employment. Both were handed over to the Embassy by members of the Sri Lankan community in Israel.

Ambassador Nimal Bandara revealed that, as both individuals had lost their passports, the Embassy issued two temporary passports free of charge. 

The Embassy also ensured their welfare while they were in temporary accommodation and accompanied them to the airport for departure, he added. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (CPCEC) has suspended the issuance of visa recommendations to two Authorised Persons (APs) following the detention and deportation of foreign nationals employed by them.

Issuing a statement, the CPCEC said that the suspension will remain in effect until an ongoing investigation into the incident at the Bandaranaike International Airport is completed. The CPCEC has formally requested both APs to provide detailed written explanations and supporting documents to ensure a transparent inquiry.

The CPCEC further thanked the Department of Immigration and Emigration for its vigilance and reiterated that all regulatory authorities in Sri Lanka retain their powers within the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone (SEZ), as outlined in Section 74 of the CPCEC Act No. 11 of 2021.

The CPCEC urged all authorised entities to exercise due diligence, including thorough background checks before recruitment, to maintain high compliance standards.

Reaffirming its commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, the Commission said it will continue to support legitimate business activities within the SEZ while safeguarding national interests and ensuring the Colombo Port City’s role as a transformative national asset. (Newswire)

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As federal officials carry out the Trump administration’s deportation plans across the country, the White House on Tuesday sparked backlash after posting a video on X mocking immigrants being deported.

The video shows what appears to be ICE officials placing immigrants in chains and handcuffs before they board a plane, presumably for deportation. The post is captioned, “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight,” referring to the acronym for “autonomous sensory meridian response,” a pleasant physical sensation triggered by certain sounds that has become a popular genre of videos on some social media platforms.

The video was filmed during an operation at King County International Airport-Boeing Field in Seattle two weeks ago, reported The Seattle Times, citing a volunteer with an immigrant rights group that monitors weekly deportation flights out of the airport.

Elon Musk, whom President Donald Trump has tasked with gutting the federal workforce through the nongovernmental Department of Government Efficiency, reposted the video, writing, “Haha wow” along with emojis of a troll and a medal.

The White House later shared Musk’s post.

Such deportation operations took place during former President Joe Biden’s term as well. But the Trump administration’s attempts to make a public spectacle out of its mass deportation efforts — which has included Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivering sinister warnings to undocumented immigrants that the government will “hunt you down” — underscores its dehumanization of immigrant communities.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the White House’s post had been seen more than 68 million times, according to X. Many of the online responses to the post were critical, as CNBC reported, with some calling it “disgusting” and “cruel.”

Although most of Trump’s campaign promises centered on deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, data obtained by NBC News show that 41% of people detained by ICE in the first two weeks of February had no previous criminal conviction or had a pending criminal charge. Trump’s sweeping and haphazard deportation efforts have ensnared U.S. citizens as well, raising allegations about racial profiling by federal officials. (MSNBC)

ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight pic.twitter.com/O6L1iYt9b4

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 18, 2025

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The Maldives has deported 186 foreigners, including 25 Sri Lankans, according to Maldivian media, Adhadhu.

As per the media report, the group has been deported on charges of crimes like visa violations and drug-related offences.

Among the deported group, 83 are from Bangladesh,43 are Indians, and 08 are Nepalis.

The date of their deportation is unknown and it comes as as efforts are underway in the Maldives to shut down businesses operated illegally. 

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the ministry was working together with the Economic Ministry to take action against illegal businesses operating under various names.

These include both registered and unregistered businesses, which include those operated by a foreigner instead of the registered owner. (NewsWire)

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Thirty-one (31) Sri Lankans who have been granted deportation orders by the Jordanian authorities returned to Sri Lanka last week (Oct 27).

The deportation was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan in collaboration with the Public Security Directorate of Jordan.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan said these Sri Lankans entered Jordan on July 22, 2023, on visit/tourist visas with the anticipation of finding job opportunities. 

Subsequently, they were arrested by the North Amman police station and detained in correction centres following a decision made by the North Amman court on October 12, 2023.

The issue of migrant workers arriving on visit/tourist visas and overstaying or attempting to cross international borders illegally has been a recurring trend in the past. From January 2023 up to the present, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan has been actively involved in facilitating the deportation of approximately 120 stranded Sri Lankans, with support extended by the Jordan authorities.

The Embassy officials visited the correction centres to ensure the welfare and safety during their stay. The stranded Sri Lankans were provided essential humanitarian support including medical assistance and access to basic necessities by the Jordanian authorities, it said.

The Sri Lankan Embassy further advised Sri Lankans not to arrive in Jordan on visit/tourist visas without a confirmed job opportunity and required visa, stating that many male and female Sri Lankans continue to fall victim to human smuggling and are subsequently subjected to deportation after being held in correction centres.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan requested all Sri Lankans to seek overseas job opportunities legally and to register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before their departure. (NewsWire/ File pic)

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A Sri Lankan woman threatened with deportation has won the right to remain in Britain after a six-year battle with the Home Office, The Independent reported.

Susita Balasubranamiamm, 66, was ordered to return to Sri Lanka – leaving behind her children and grandchildren – after the government said her recently-retired husband Shanmugham, 74, no longer met the required income threshold.

The woman’s husband was granted refugee status by the Home Office in 1994 after fleeing persecution for being part of the Tamil ethnic group. Their four children joined him in the years that followed and were also given refugee status. Ms Balasubranamiamm joined them in 2014 on a spouse visa.

Though he had contributed towards his pension and saved personal funds, Home Office immigration rules say the sponsor must be able to show an employment income of £18,600. The pair argued they were financially supported by their children but this was rejected.

Now, following two applications to renew her visa, two appeals against the Home Office’s refusal and a grant of permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal, Ms Balasubranamiamm has been granted permission to stay in the UK.

“I am so relieved finally that I have received justice. I had sleepless nights, deteriorating health and so much anxiety being in constant limbo all because of the insensitivity of the Home Office,” Mrs Balasubranamiamm told The Independent.

“My husband worked for decades in the UK, has a pension and our children and grandchildren are all settled and financially responsible, yet because of my husband retiring by the time I had to renew my visa and the inflexibility of the rules I had to spend years fighting to get justice so I could peacefully enjoy the rest of my life.

“During this time I felt I was being punished because my husband had to retire, but with the help of my lawyer, I finally got the justice I had always felt strongly in my heart. My lawyer was an incredible support for me, not only taking my case to the Court of Appeal to fight, but keeping me comforted and motivated day or night whenever I felt like I was losing hope.”

The elderly couple have been living with their 35-year-old son and his family, helping to look after their grandchildren as is a tradition within their Tamil culture.

However, when Mrs Balasubranamiamm applied to renew her visa in 2016, the Home Office refused it on the grounds that her husband, who previously been employed as a food factory manager, no longer earned enough because he had retired.

During the first appeal in November 2018, a judge said they did not accept that the couple’s son could support his parents financially and concluded there was nothing to prevent Mrs Balasubranamiamm and her husband from living together in Sri Lanka or to stop the children visiting them there, according to court documents seen by The Independent.

A second appeal in 2021 found that the grandmother’s first appeal should not have been blocked and, in October 2022, the Court of Appeal ordered that the decision should be reconsidered by the home secretary.

The Home Office then wrote to Mrs Balasubranamiamm in February 2023 stating that she has been granted permission to stay in the UK.

Prior to this victory, the grandmother felt very “anxious” about being deported and told The Independent at the height of her struggles in 2019: “I am not well. I feel I can’t go back. My whole family is here – my husband, children, and grandchildren. No one is there. I won’t have anyone there to take care of me there.”

Solicitor Naga Kandiah, who represented Mrs Balasubranamiamm, pointed to multiple failings on the Home Office’s part.

“The first reflection point on this case is the insensitivity of the immigration rules to expect an individual to continually work beyond their retirement age in order to satisfy the income threshold,” he told The Independent.

“Furthermore, at such an age it is understandable that one would like to live a stress-free life and in light of the circumstances that the applicant has grown children who are settled in the UK and can support their parents, this raises illogical barriers by segregating elderly parents from their families in times when they require this the most.”

Mr Kandiah added: “If sent back to Sri Lanka, the unreasonable expectation upon an elderly lady to financially support and fend for herself without her family, is certainly a blind spot for the Home Office in making such a decision.

“Notwithstanding, the damage incurred to the rights of the husband, children and grandchildren of being deprived of their right to family life with their respective wife, mother, and grandmother, is another issue.”

The Home Office has been approached for comment. (NewsWire)

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