Double murder suspect was intercepted at VIA and deported

Jul 6, 2026, 3:24 PM

The Maldives Police Service confirmed today that a 23-year-old suspect, wanted for the double murder of a Sri Lankan lawyer and his wife, was intercepted at Velana International Airport (VIA).

Police said that upon receiving intelligence that the suspect was travelling from Bahrain to the Maldives, he was detained immediately upon arrival and deported to Sri Lanka.

"Following intelligence reports received by the Maldives Police Service regarding his travel from Bahrain to the Maldives, the individual was intercepted in coordination with relevant state authorities and deported back to Sri Lanka on July 4, 2026," the police said.

Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the suspect upon his arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport on Friday.

According to police, the young man, a resident of Ethkandura, was a key suspect sought in connection with the fatal shooting of a lawyer and his wife on February 13.

To facilitate his apprehension at the airport, the suspect's details had been previously uploaded to the airport's automated facial recognition system. He is believed to be a member of an organized crime syndicate.

Furthermore, police records reveal that the suspect was previously arrested in October 2025 for illegal possession of narcotics and again in December of the same year for possession of heroin. On both occasions, he was produced before the court and released after paying a fine.

Sri Lankan media, citing local police, reported that investigations into the double murder allegations against the suspect are ongoing.

Velana International Airport Sri Lanka Bahrain Criminal Investigation Department Maldives Police Service

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