Prominent Sri Lankan ornamental fish export tycoon Ananda Pathirana and his wife, Prince Pathirana, were abducted by a gang of kidnappers during a visit to Bangladesh on the night of April 23.
According to reports, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of USD 20 million for their release.
Following the abduction, the Sri Lankan High Commission in Bangladesh promptly alerted the Sri Lankan government, leading to the launch of a special rescue operation.
On the instructions of President Anura Dissanayake, key figures including Defense Secretary Sampath Thuiyakontha, State Intelligence Chief Major General Ruwan Wanigasuriya, Sunil Silva of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody, coordinated efforts to secure the couple’s release from the gang.
The couple was successfully rescued with the assistance of Bangladeshi police and are currently under police protection.
Government sources have confirmed that all arrangements have been made to repatriate the couple to Sri Lanka tomorrow (April 25).
