Police have said the Sri Lankan man who operated an excavator, which led to the death of a Bangladeshi man, did not have permits and tried to flee.

Police said 24-year-old Amin Mia died after being hit on the head by the excavator at the Thilafushi landfill on January 26.

A 32-year-old Sri Lankan man, Heshan Maduranga Disanayaka Menika, who operated the excavator, was arrested under a court order.

The court extended his remand period by 10 days on Sunday (February 8). Police told the court that he had tried to flee.

Based on a witness testimony, police said he had tried to flee and was working in the Maldives without the valid permits.

Police believe he operated the excavator improperly and are accusing him of homicide.

Police said the CCTV footage clearly shows Amin being hit on the head with the excavator, but Heshan continued operating the excavator.

Although the incident occurred on January 26, the search operation intensified two days later, on January 28, and his body was found in the landfill that day.

It is unclear why the Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) delayed reporting his disappearance to the police.