Commonwealth Games 2022: Multiple Team Sri Lanka athltes ‘go missing’ from the atheletes village

Ten members of Team Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham have gone “missing”, according to AFP.

Nine athletes and a manager went AWOL after competiting in the events, a Sri Lankan official reportedly told the news agency. Of those who went missing, three ‘disappeared’ last week.

A wrestler, judo coach and judo competor were reported missing. Following their ‘disappearance’, a police complaint was reportedly filed by the Sri Lankan officials. Another seven atheletes went missing since then. The Sri Lankan official told reporters that he believes they were trying to remain in the UK to get employment. As many as 160 people were part of the Sri Lankan contingent.

The West Midlands Police located the first three and said they had not violated local laws. They held visas valid for six months, so, no action was taken, the Sri Lankan official told AFP.

“In fact, the police got us to return the passports that we were holding as a deterrent against defections,” the official told the news agency. “The police have not told us about their whereabouts.”

The police are reportedly looking for the current seven who have allegedly gone missing. Sri Lanka has been crisis-hit since earlier this month that has prompted multiple protests and change of president as well.

Police statement

A statement from West Midlands Police on Monday, August 8, read: “We are currently aware of seven reports of missing people relating to Birmingham 2022 and our carrying out enquiries to continue to ensure they are safe and well.”

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