Expat death: Sri Lankan excavator driver accused of attempting to flee

Police say the Sri Lankan national arrested in connection with the death of an expatriate worker at a worksite in Kaafu Thilafushi is believed to have attempted to flee the country.

The victim, Amin Miya, a 24 year-old Bangladeshi national, was found dead on 28 January after being reported missing two days earlier.

Police said Amin died after being struck by the claw of an excavator operated by Heshan Maduranga Dissanayaka Menika, a 32 year old Sri Lankan national.

Menika was arrested in connection with the incident and was previously remanded in custody for seven days. After the remand period expired, he was produced before the Criminal Court again yesterday.

During the hearing, police submitted a witness statement alleging that the suspect had attempted to flee the country. Police also informed the court that Menika was working in the Maldives illegally.

Based on the submissions, the court ordered that the suspect be remanded in custody for a further 10 days.

Menika has been charged with manslaughter. The court order noted that preliminary evidence had been submitted in support of the charge, including an incident report and CCTV snapshots.

According to investigators, Amin was fatally struck when the excavator was allegedly operated without due care.

Police previously said the victim was hit by the excavator’s claw and fell along with garbage being moved at the site, after which his body was covered covered in trash.

Police said it remains unclear whether the excavator operator was aware of the incident at the time. However, CCTV footage reportedly shows the excavator striking Amin, after which work continued without interruption.