Two suspects wanted by Sri Lanka Police in connection with organised crime activities, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) following their deportation from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The suspects were arrested by CID officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake this morning (03), following their deportation from Abu Dhabi, officials said.

The arrested suspects have been identified as 37-year-old Dissanayake Mudiyanselage Bandula Dissanayake, a resident of Dunkannawa, Ashokapura, and 36-year-old Siyambaladduwa Pathiranalage Harsha Kumara, a resident of Borella, Colombo.

The two suspects had reportedly been arrested and detained by UAE security authorities after they were found to have stored footage on their mobile phones showing drone and missile attacks launched by Iran against the UAE, including footage of the missiles and drones striking and exploding at their targets.

The two suspects arrived at BIA at around 10.15 a.m. today on Etihad Airways flight EY-392, after which CID officers took them into custody and recorded lengthy statements from them, officials said.

Among the suspects, Bandula Dissanayake is wanted in connection with allegations of possessing narcotics and illegal firearms.

The other suspect named Harsha Kumara is reportedly a close associate of organised criminal “Parevi Suda” and was also previously involved in an incident of unruly behaviour at the Boossa Prison.

Following preliminary questioning, the suspects were handed over to officers under tight security arrangements for further investigations. 

Accordingly, Bandula Dissanayake was transferred to the Colombo Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), while Harsha Kumara was handed over to the Colombo South Divisional Crime Investigation Bureau.