JVP dissident leader nabbed at airport before Aussie take off

Airport authorities yesterday detained the family of the elusive leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) dissidents, Premakumar Gunaratnam alias Kumar Mahaththaya at the Bandaranike International Airport in Katunayake.

Mahaththaya’s wife and two children had been detained by the authorities when they had arrived to board a flight to Australia via Singapore. It was later revealed that the persons detained were the wife and two children of the former JVP leader turned dissident Kumar, Colombo Page reported.

Police Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana said a 47-year-old woman and two children were detained for questioning.  

Kumar’s wife, Dr. Champa Somartane and the two children who are Australian citizens had arrived in the country during the holiday period and were trying to return to Australia when they were detained.

Sources from the JVP dissidents group told ColomboPage that they were not aware of the reason for detaining the family members.

However, it has been reported that the persons detained are being questioned under the Immigration and Emigration Act and are being queried about Kumar’s whereabouts.

Other sources said they were eventually released around 7.00 p.m. after questioning.