Use special routes for special criminal suspects, Minister tells IGP

By Chathuranga Samarawickrma   

Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure maximum security when transporting high-profile criminal suspects through airports, stressing the need to use a special route to avoid public disruption and potential security risks.  
Speaking during a media briefing, Minister Rathnayake said it was highly inappropriate to bring suspected underworld figures through public passenger routes while covering their faces, as it creates unease among other travellers and damages the image of the airport.  
“There is a serious risk that rival criminal elements may attempt to eliminate these suspects or destroy evidence during their arrival. If such incidents occur inside the airport, it would not only endanger lives but also severely harm the reputation and safety of the facility,” he warned.  
The Minister noted that the presence of such suspects among regular passengers can create fear and discomfort, especially for tourists arriving in the country.