3 Kidnapped Sri Lankan Citizens Rescued in Bagerhat, 3 Arrested

Three Sri Lankan citizens who had been kidnapped in Bagerhat were rescued on Wednesday night (April 23).

Based on intelligence from the Detective Branch, police conducted a raid at the house of Emdad Kazi in South Ambari village, located in the Kodalia area under Mollahat Upazila. During the operation, three individuals were arrested in connection with the abduction.

The rescued Sri Lankans have been identified as Malavi Pathirana alias Nihal Anand, Pathirana alias Tikiri Kumaritham, and Thuppi Mudiyansila Nil. Their full identities have not yet been confirmed. Police confirmed that one of the three victims is a woman.

Those arrested for their alleged involvement in the abduction are Shahidul Sheikh (24) and Kazi Emdad Hossain (52) from South Ambari village in Mollahat Upazila, and Jony Sheikh (38) from Khatiyagarh village in Gopalganj Sadar Upazila.

According to police sources, two of the Sri Lankan nationals arrived in Bagerhat on April 22 after receiving a business-related invitation from Shahidul Sheikh. After their arrival, a ransom demand was made to their families in Sri Lanka via phone.

Following a complaint from the Sri Lankan High Commission, the Detective Branch of Bangladesh Police launched an investigation and successfully rescued the victims.

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Md Touhidul Arif confirmed the incident.