Four Maldivians arrested from Sri Lanka for illegally flying a drone near Bandaranaike International Airport have been released on Monday.
The statement released by Sri Lanka's police revealed that three males and one woman between ages 19 and 23 were arrested on Saturday.
Local media Mihaaru reported that they were taken to Negombo court and released late Sunday.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Maldivian Ambassador to Lanka Omar Abdul Razzak combined efforts to release them.
President Solih is currently on an official visit to take part in Lanka's Independent Day celebrations.
According to Drone Law in Lanka, all drones that have cameras and/or weighs 200 grams or more, must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka. Additionally, they can only be flown in clear daylight and is strictly banned within an 8 Kilometre radius of any airport.
Notably, this is the first arrest in the country in relation to illegal operations of a drone near an airport.
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