Wanted criminal escaped from Police custody at BIA: OIC, cops arrested

Four policemen including the OIC of the Katunayake Police were arrested for letting out a suspect who was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to fly overseas in spite of a travel ban imposed on him.

Police said the suspect, a navy deserter wanted over several crimes including murders and also was slapped with a travel ban, entered the Katunayake airport to fly to Dubai under a false name, was arrested by the Katunayake Airport Police.

A few hours later, two men came to the airport police station to get the suspect released from police custody. The suspect who was behind the cell at that time, escaped from the police custody when he was taken out of the cell.

The Negombo Division Crimes Investigation Division launched an investigation into the incident and arrested the OIC, a seargent and two Policemen.

The sergeant among the arrested policemen has been remanded after they were produced  before the Negombo Magistrate.

The OIC and two Policemen were ordered to be released on bail. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)