Retired air force airwoman arrested with live bullet at BIA

A retired air force airwoman has been detained

at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake after a live T-56 ammunition was discovered inside her handbag during a routine security check.  

The 37-year-old was preparing to board SriLankan Airlines flight UL-225 to Dubai at 05.45 p.m. on Saturday (Aug 31) when the bullet was detected during an airport security scanning.

The suspected woman has been identified as a resident of Hiripitiya area Kurunegala, Ada Derana reporter said.

The retired Air Force airwoman had traveled to the airport to leave for Dubai to visit her sister, who resides in Dubai. Following the discovery, she was escorted to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the airport for interrogations.  

However, she had stated that she was unaware of how the bullet had ended up in her bag.

The arrested woman and the ammunition have been handed over to Katunayake Airport Police for further investigation. 

She is scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court this evening (01), the police said.