By Norman Palihawadane
Four policemen were being questioned over an incident of a wanted suspect fleeing their custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on Saturday evening, police said.
Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that an inspector, a sergeant and two constables, on duty, when the wanted suspect escaped, had been taken into custody by a special investigation team from the police headquarters. The policemen concerned were attached to the Katunayake Airport Police.
A suspect was arrested when he arrived at the BIA to fly to Dubai under a fake name. The Immigration authorities detected two travel bans on the suspect for his real name as well as his fake name. The airport authorities informed the Katunayake Airport police of the suspect and the police took him into custody.
The suspect admitted that he had been involved in several crimes including murders. He is a navy deserter responsible for nine killings including the recent one at Hanwella, police said.
SSP Thalduwa said that two persons disguised as in bhikkhu robes had arrived at the Katunayake Airport Police to visit the suspect. The policemen took the suspect out of the cell and later it was found that the suspect had fled. Serious questions have been raised with regard to this account and the matter is being investigated, the SSP said.
Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that a separate operation had been launched to find the suspect.