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AASL defends overseas travel of passengers

07 Apr 2022

 
  • Denies deactivation of CCTV camera security systems at BIA
  • Police can only halt foreign travel if travel ban imposed 
  BY Dinitha Rathnayake and Buddhika Samaraweera Subsequent to recent news reports that have appeared on media outlets regarding several controversial figures leaving the country through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd. (AASL) said that any Sri Lankan who is legally entitled to travel overseas will be able to avail of such facilities at the BIA in Katunayake while if a court order has been issued to prevent a passenger from leaving the country, such a passenger may not leave the country. Furthermore, the AASL stated that no action was taken to modify, deactivate, or relax any of the closed circuit television (CCTV) camera security systems at the airport, as reported on various social media and other media. Releasing a statement in this regard, the company stated: “We cater to the needs of the general public, from the average passenger to the elite and dignitaries who use the airport. However, all these passengers are required to make such arrangements in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Immigration and Emigration Department and the Customs regarding departure and also in accordance with internationally accepted rules and regulations. We work responsibly in order to ensure the safety and security of all passengers using the airport premises.” It was reported that Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and his family members had left from the BIA for the Maldives. They had left the airport aboard a SriLankan Airlines flight (UL-102) bound for the Maldives at 8.20 a.m. on Monday (4) and it was claimed in news reports that at the time, the computer system and security camera system at the airport were jammed, and that the group had made arrangements to enter the aircraft through the departure terminal at the airport in Katunayake. Former Water Supply and Drainage Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa too had left for Dubai, UAE, according to media reports. Claiming that the Police cannot prevent someone from leaving the country merely because certain allegations have been levelled against them, Police Media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa said that it is possible to do so only if a travel ban has been imposed against such.  Speaking to The Morning yesterday (7), he said: “In order for the Police to prevent a person from going abroad, a court should have imposed a travel ban on them. Otherwise, there are times when the Police request that such a ban be imposed on someone who is being investigated by the Police with regard to some incident.”  However, he added that the Police could not request the court to issue such an order if there are any ongoing judicial proceedings against the said individual. In such cases, Thalduwa said that the Police do not have the authority to stop the person in question from going abroad. He also said that any person against whom a travel ban has not been imposed is free to leave the country at any time. Following reports to the effect that Rajapaksa who has allegedly amassed secret wealth and Senadhipathi have left the country, the National People’s Power (NPP) on Tuesday (5), urged the Parliament to immediately take a decision to shut down airports in order to prevent “criminals” from fleeing the country.  Speaking in the Parliament, NPP Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said that such a move would “stop the people who have stolen from this country and prevent them from running away with the loot”. He also added that legal action needs to be taken against such persons so that they can be produced before court. Claiming that he had filed a petition in Parliament requesting the same, Herath called on the Parliament to intervene in the matter.


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