Young man arrested after dodging checkpoints at airport

A young man who managed to pass all security checkpoints at the Katunayake International Airport and attempted to surreptitiously board a Chennai-bound flight early today was arrested by the airport police.

 

Police said the suspect was wearing trousers, a shirt and slippers.

 

The 23-year-old, a resident of Grandpass, had been living with his father in Chennai and had travelled abroad twice before.

 

Airport security officers on duty discovered that the suspect didn't have any travel documents or a boarding pass and handed him over to the police.

 

Police contacted the suspect’s brother and learned that the suspect was under psychiatric treatment, but had not taken his medication for about a month.

 

The suspect will be produced before the Negombo Magistrate and referred to a psychiatrist following a court order, police said.