Eighty-five Chinese nationals, who had been arrested for engaging in various criminal activities—including cyber-related offenses—while residing in Sri Lanka, were deported following judicial proceedings, according to the Officer in Charge at the Katunayake Airport.
These individuals were initially remanded after being convicted by local courts. Subsequently, they were held at the Immigration and Emigration Department Detention Center in Welisara, pending deportation.
On the day of their deportation, the group was transported in five buses under heavy security to the Katunayake International Airport. From there, they were escorted onto a special flight.
The Officer in Charge further confirmed that a total of 172 individuals were aboard the flight. This included 85 Chinese nationals, as well as personnel from the Sri Lanka Police, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and SriLankan Airlines security teams.
