Probe into death of passenger at BIA

COLOMBO: The Department of Immigration and Emigration has informed all airlines operating to Colombo not to carry any passengers without proper travel documents. The airlines are responsible for the passengers’ safety and care until they are admitted into the country.

The Department was making a statement on the death of passenger Balasubramaniam Jayakumar at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The passenger is reported to have committed suicide on September 10 while in detention at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

Katunayake Police are conducting investigations into the death and taking usual course of action with regard to the deceased.

Jayakumar was deported to Colombo from Madras on July 22, 2006 and Immigration and Emigration authorities have refused him entry into the country since he was without a valid travel document.

According to the regulations of the Department of Immigration and Emigration any person entering the country must be in possession of a valid travel document.

According to the airline by which he was deported from Madras, Jayakumar had been previously deported from the UK to Madras since he had been found in possession of a forged UK refugee travel document. Since the birthplace of Jayakumar in the travel document was Sri Lanka, the Madras Immigration Authorities deported him to Colombo on July 22.

Even though the passenger claimed Sri Lankan nationality, he did not have any documentary evidence to prove the same. Hence, the airline has made arrangements with Airport and Aviation Ltd. to detain him at Bandaranaike International Airport until he produced documents to prove his nationality and identity.

In terms of International Civil Aviation Organisation Annexure 9, the “operator” (airline) is responsible for the custody and care of the passengers and crew until he is deported back to his original destination i.e. Madras.

In terms of International Civil Aviation Organisation Annexure 9, the “operator” (airline) is responsible for the custody and care of the passengers and crew until they are admitted into the country.