Three Sri Lankan nationals, including prominent businessman Ananda Pathirana and his wife Princi Pathirana, were rescued unharmed in a special joint operation by Bangladeshi police after being abducted in Dhaka earlier this week.
The Sri Lankans had arrived in Bangladesh on April 22 on a business invitation from Shahidul Sheikh of Bagerhat. They were abducted from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport shortly after arrival. A ransom demand of USD 20 million was made to their families.
Following a report by the Sri Lankan High Commission, President Anura Dissanayake instructed top defence and foreign ministry officials to work closely with Bangladeshi authorities. Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyiyakontha, Intelligence Chief Major General Ruwan Wanigasuriya, and Sunil Silva of the Foreign Ministry coordinated with Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Dharmapala Weerakkody.
The rescue operation was launched around 12:15 a.m. on April 24 in the Kodalia area of Mollahat upazila in Bagerhat district. All three Sri Lankans were rescued safely, and four suspects — Kazi Emdad Hossain, Shahidul Sheikh, Jony Sheikh, and SM Shamsul Alam — were arrested. The group had used a local phone number to make the ransom calls.
The victims are now under police protection and arrangements have been made to return them to Sri Lanka.
