In a landmark event 32 Sri Lankan prisoners who were serving sentences for drug-related offenses in Kuwait's Central Jail returned to Sri Lanka today under the prisoner exchange agreement signed between the State of Kuwait and Sri Lanka in 2007.
Historic Prisoner Exchange: 32 Sri Lankan Drug Offenders Return Home from Kuwait
The prisoners arrived at Katunayake Airport this afternoon on a special flight, marking a historic moment in bilateral relations.
The Sri Lankans were arrested by Kuwaiti authorities for offenses including drug use, trafficking, and smuggling, and were convicted by Kuwaiti courts.
The return of these prisoners is a significant development in the long-running agreement that facilitates the exchange of prisoners between the two nations.
The initiative was led by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Mr. Kandeepan Balasubramaniam, who had been working tirelessly since March to arrange for the transfer of the prisoners. Through his close ties with Kuwaiti officials, including the King of Kuwait and the Minister of Interior Affairs,
Ambassador Balasubramaniam successfully negotiated the use of Kuwait’s largest C-17 aircraft to transport the prisoners back to Sri Lanka. Remarkably, the flight was provided free of charge.
While this historic return marks a success for Sri Lanka, there is notable absence of Kuwaiti prisoners currently serving time in Sri Lanka, despite the prisoner exchange agreement.
Ambassador Balasubramaniam was present at the Kuwait Air Force Base early this morning to witness the departure of the special flight carrying the Sri Lankan prisoners back to their homeland. This event marks a significant achievement in diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Kuwait.
