Seven Sri Lankan youths who had been living in Abu Dhabi, a Middle Eastern country, have been deported and sent back to Sri Lanka by the local authorities. Airport officials stated that they arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake last night. The group landed at around 9.25 p.m. on an Air Arabia flight, 3L-708.
Reason for deportation.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi deported the seven Sri Lankan youths after accusing them of storing, sharing, and engaging with social media content related to missile and drone attacks in the Middle East conflict. Officials stated that they kept related photos and videos on their mobile phones and also shared, liked, and commented on such content on social media platforms. The authorities considered these actions a violation of the UAE’s cybercrime and national security regulations, which led to their arrest and subsequent deportation.
Seven Sri Lankans Deported from Abu Dhabi.
Immigration officials in Sri Lanka confirmed the identities of the deported youths upon their arrival at Katunayake. The group includes individuals from Ambalangoda, Puttalam, Bandaragama, Borella, Polonnaruwa, and Wattala.
Airport authorities processed the arrivals following standard procedures and later released them to local officials for further action and inquiry. Security agencies in Sri Lanka have begun reviewing the circumstances that led to their detention overseas and their subsequent deportation.
Officials emphasized that several countries in the Middle East enforce strict laws regarding online activity, especially content linked to ongoing conflicts.
