A Maldivian and an additional suspect has been arrested in a case where an unlicensed television and radio transmission center was being operated in a high-security zone near the Ratmalana International Airport in Sri Lanka.

The High Commission of Maldives in Sri Lanka has told Mihaaru News that they have been informed of the arrest of a Maldivian by Sri Lankan authorities.

"We have been informed that someone named Musthaq was arrested yesterday by the authorities. We have not received any additional information," as was said by a senior official of the High Commission.

Some Sri Lankan news media has stated that the Maldivian that was apprehended is a 55 year old individual who resides in Kalubowila.

According to some Sri Lankan news media, the police raided the station after they had received intelligence that cast suspicion on broadcasting efforts in the Attidiya region, with the Mount Lavinia Division Crime Investigation Bureau and the Sri Lankan telecommunications authority working together to acquire the intelligence.

According to media reports while reference to Sri Lankan police, the station was being operated in secret as a travel agency.

Around Rs 50 million (more than MVR 200,000) worth of equipment was seized in the raid, which includes a satellite receiver, a satellite dish, computers, a Starlink unit and a decent amount of transmission devices used in broadcasting.

The investigation has revealed that the suspects acquired data services from a private telecom company, downloaded television channels via the satellite and sold television and radio broadcasts to subscribers from Sri Lanka and other countries all without any permits.

The Sri Lankan authorities are yet to disclose any information regarding the apprehended suspects. The authorities stated that they are conducting additional investigations that will reveal the scope of the operation and its financial connections.