Police begin probe after hoax bomb threat at Bandaranaike Airport

An aircraft that arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was subjected to a special security inspection following a false report claiming that several suspicious individuals were on board.

The information was received in relation to a flight that arrived at the BIA from Doha at 8.27 a.m. today (28), carrying 245 passengers.

According to reports, an email had been sent to the official email address of the BIA stating that four individuals on board were preparing to carry out an explosion.

In response, airport authorities contacted the pilot of the aircraft to inquire about the situation. However, the pilot confirmed that there was no such security threat on board.

Despite the confirmation, after the aircraft landed, officials directed the flight to a secure isolation area, where passengers and crew were disembarked.

Airport authorities then conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft with the assistance of the bomb disposal unit and other relevant security agencies.

Police stated that no suspicious items were discovered during the inspection.

Subsequently, the aircraft was returned to the normal operational area of the BIA and later departed for Doha, Qatar at 1.07 p.m.

Police further stated that this incident, similar to the false information received on December 26 regarding the alleged presence of a bomb at the Kandy District Secretariat premises, was also a hoax.

Preliminary investigations conducted by police revealed that both electronic messages were sent to Sri Lanka from a foreign country.

Police also stated that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and intelligence agencies have launched a special investigation to identify those responsible for carrying out such disruptive acts.