A special security search was conducted yesterday (28) morning on an aircraft that arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (Katunayake) from Doha, following information received regarding several suspicious individuals on board.
According to reports, the information related to a flight that landed at Katunayake Airport at 8:27 a.m., carrying 245 passengers from Doha.
It was revealed that a message had been received through the official email address of Katunayake Airport claiming that four individuals on board the aircraft were preparing to carry out an explosion.
Airport authorities immediately inquired into the matter with the pilot of the relevant aircraft. The pilot informed officials that there was no unsafe or suspicious situation on board the flight.
However, as a precautionary measure, after landing, the aircraft was directed to the Air Safety Division. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and the aircraft was subjected to a comprehensive inspection by the Bomb Disposal Unit along with other relevant security personnel.
Police later confirmed that no suspicious items or threats were found during the inspection.
Subsequently, the aircraft was moved to the Katunayake Airport General Aviation Terminal and departed for Doha, Qatar, at 1:07 p.m.
Police further stated that this incident was confirmed to be a false alarm, similar to the false bomb threat reported at the Kandy District Secretariat premises on the 26th.
Initial investigations have revealed that both emails related to these incidents were sent from a foreign country.
Police also confirmed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and intelligence agencies have launched a special investigation to identify those responsible for sending such false and disruptive messages.
