Police have launched a search for a Chinese national who got away with US $ 14,000 from a Lebanese traveling in the business class on Oman Air to Katunayake.

The 47 year old Lebanese had realized that the Chinese national seated close to him had taken the money from his bag only when he opened his bag to change the money at a bank counter.

Instead of the US dollars he found a bundle of Egyptian currency with 18 notes of five pounds each.

The Chinese national had immediately left the airport while the only two other passengers who travelled on the flight, beside the Lebanese national and his mother had been located.

The Airline staff had observed the Chinese national opening bags at night, but had not realized that he was opening the bag of the Lebanese national. The cash had been placed in his bag on the overhead baggage rack.

The Lebanese national was accompanying his mother for medical treatment.