Thirteen (13) Chinese nationals being held at the Welisara Immigration Detention Centre for involvement in cybercrime activities have escaped custody, the Tourist Police confirmed. The individuals, who were awaiting deportation, had previously been arrested for operating illegal cybercrime networks while on tourist visas in Sri Lanka.
Of the 13 escapees, nine have been re-arrested by Welikada Police, while a search operation is currently underway to locate the remaining four fugitives.
According to the Tourist Police, the group had been detained following multiple tip-offs regarding cybercrime operations targeting both Sri Lankan and foreign nationals. Their escape occurred just days before they were due to be deported.
Officials also stated that this group is part of a broader wave of arrests involving Chinese nationals. Currently, 35 individuals are being held at the Kalutara camp, while 130 others were detained in Kandy in connection with similar offences. The magistrate has ordered the deportation of all suspects to China.
Just last week, 85 Chinese nationals were deported on a special SriLankan Airlines flight to Guangzhou. These individuals had previously been remanded by court and later transferred to the Welisara Detention Centre. They were transported to Bandaranaike International Airport in five buses under tight security and boarded flight UL-880, which departed at 1:20 a.m. on 20 June.