A parcel left behind by a foreign national at the Russian Embassy in Colombo caused panic among staff, leading to the immediate deployment of a bomb disposal squad this afternoon (28).

The incident began when the foreign national handed over a parcel containing a laptop to the embassy and left the premises without explanation.

Concerned staff promptly alerted security personnel, who then contacted the Cinnamon Gardens Police.

Accordingly, a team comprising Special Task Force (STF) personnel, a bomb disposal squad, and officers from the Cinnamon Gardens Police were dispatched to the embassy.

A police K9 unit was also employed as part of the initial investigation.

The laptop was later taken to the Cinnamon Gardens Police for further examination.