Man arrested over false plane hijack claim

Colombo, June 12 (Daily Mirror) - A 43-year-old suspect has been arrested for allegedly committing an act of treason by making a series of false claims about a hijacking attempt involving a SriLankan Airlines flight arriving from Indonesia.

Police said the suspect had made several calls yesterday to various security agencies, including the 119 Police Emergency Unit, SriLankan Airlines, the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake and even the Presidential Secretariat, falsely warning that a group was planning to hijack the incoming aircraft.

Upon alerting the security unit at the BIA, Police traced the origin of the calls to the Wellawatte Police Division. Investigations conducted by the Wellawatte Police, using telephone analysis and tower data, led them to a hotel on 33rd Lane in Wellawatte, where the suspect was arrested.

Police said that the suspect had checked-in at  the hotel three months prior and paid Rs. 3,000 for a single night's stay. They also revealed that he operates an employment agency and had a pending arrest warrant issued by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court.

Further investigations revealed that the suspect was receiving US dollar remittances from overseas. Police have launched an inquiry into these transactions.

Items seized from the suspect include a tablet computer, an iPhone, a portable Wi-Fi router, a pair of headsets and several bank receipts related to money transfers. 

The tablet reportedly contained photographs of LTTE leaders and flags, heads of state and images of airports and aircraft.

The suspect, a resident of Colombo 15, has been handed over to the Katunayake Airport Police for further investigations.