By T.K.G. Kapila

Under a prisoner exchange agreement signed between Kuwait and Sri Lanka in 2007, a group of 32 out of 104 Sri Lankan prisoners serving sentences for drug-related offenses in Kuwait's Central Jail who were released, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this afternoon. 

This marks the first implementation of the agreement in history, with the prisoners transported on a special flight from Kuwait.

These Sri Lankans had been arrested by Kuwaiti security forces and convicted on charges of using, trading, smuggling and transporting dangerous drugs.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Kandeepan Balasubramaniam had been working since March to facilitate their return. After several rounds of discussions, the Ambassador secured a C-17 aircraft, the largest in the Kuwaiti Air Force fleet, for the mission.

Although these Sri Lankan prisoners have been repatriated, it is noteworthy that no Kuwaiti prisoners serving sentences in Sri Lanka under the same agreement remain in the country.

In the early hours of November 25, Ambassador Balasubramaniam visited Kuwait City Air Force Base to oversee the departure of the special flight carrying the prisoners. The flight took off at 7:06 a.m. local time and arrived at BIA at 2:30 p.m.

The prisoners, transported in handcuffs, were accompanied by Kuwaiti security officials, Ministry of Internal Affairs, doctors and nurses. Upon arrival at the BIA, officials from the Sri Lankan Prisons Department received the prisoners and transported them to Welikada Prison using a fleet of buses.

The Kuwaiti Air Force flight, KAF-3223, is scheduled to return to Kuwait from the BIA tomorrow (26) with the Kuwaiti officials who accompanied the mission.