Two Sri Lankans who attempted to conceal themselves in an empty container on a ship in Colombo Port to flee to Malaysia have been deported from China, a year following their arrest.
The deported individuals, aged 26 and 39, arrived at Katunayake Airport this morning.
On January 30, 2023, they clandestinely entered an empty container aboard the 'MV Merks Unicorn' ship at the CICT jetty in Colombo Port, aiming to depart for Malaysia.
Upon the ship's arrival in Malaysia, the Malaysian government denied them entry. Consequently, after being taken to several other countries, the ship's authorities ultimately landed them in China, where Chinese authorities arrested them.
The two individuals were repatriated from China to Katunayake Airport via SriLankan Airlines flight UL-867 from Shanghai.
Upon arrival, they were detained by the Katunayake Airport Criminal Investigation Department's Trade and Smuggling Investigation Division.
