A total of 126 Chinese nationals, including six women who were arrested for visa violations, were removed from Sri Lanka to China last night via the Bandaranaike International Airport.
It was reported that a special flight from China arrived to transport the arrested individuals back to their home country.
On March 17, 2026, authorities arrested 134 foreign nationals during a joint operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army intelligence units and the Department of Immigration and Emigration. The group included 126 Chinese nationals, four individuals from Myanmar, and four Taiwanese nationals.
The suspects were initially believed to be linked to a large-scale organised online scam network operating from several guest houses in the Anuradhapura and Mihintale areas. The operation was launched following a tip-off received by military intelligence, leading to coordinated raids at five locations used for lodging.
During the raids, officials seized a significant quantity of equipment allegedly used in the operation, including laptop computers, mobile phones, and other technical devices.
However, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said that the arrests were made based on visa overstays. He said that if evidence of involvement in online scams had been established, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) would have initiated further investigations.
According to him, current investigations have not revealed any links to online scam activities, but only violations related to overstaying visas.
It was also reported that a group of officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration accompanied the individuals on the special flight to China.
The Embassy of China in Sri Lanka assisted local authorities in facilitating the removal process.
Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said that the Chinese government had requested the removal of the arrested nationals. The individuals were removed from Sri Lanka with the approval of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.