A video camera operator of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s media unit was reportedly caught stealing a camera from a duty free shop at the Dubai airport, while returning with the official entourage from the recent visits to South Africa and Kenya.
President Rajapaksa was returning from a State visit to Kenya where he attended that country’s 50th year of independence and taking part in the funeral service of former South African President Nelson Mandela.
The theft of the video camera worth over Rs 400,000 was witnessed by the shop’s staff, in addition to being recorded by surveillance cameras placed within the shop, who had alerted authorities.
The cameraman had attempted to conceal the stolen item in his hand luggage.
After authorities had learnt that the suspect was a member of President Rajapaksa’s entourage, they had let him go with a warning reportedly due to the highest respect held for the Sri Lankan President in Dubai.
However, the cameraman in question was discharged soon after returning to Colombo, an official of the President’s Media Unit said.
