The tangled web of a deadly charade

Fake software engineer on the run after physiotherapist’s body found in car. Suspect accused of deceiving multiple women over the years 

“What began as a promise of love, marriage, and a new life abroad ended in tragedy for a female physiotherapist... whose body was later found abandoned inside a car.”   

“The suspect allegedly placed the body in the front passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt in an attempt to avoid suspicion while travelling.”  

“Police also uncovered that the suspect is bald and had been meticulously maintaining his charade by wearing a wig throughout his interactions with the victim and her family.” 

Following the discovery of a 33-year-old physiotherapist’s body in a car near Teldeniya Hospital, police have launched a massive manhunt for a notorious conman on the run. Posing falsely as a well-connected software engineer, the suspect, Champika Srinath Jayathunga, allegedly defrauded the victim of over Rs. 15 million under the guise of marriage and migration to Canada. Investigators revealed that the suspect used a wig, fake identities, and an accomplice—his mistress—to target affluent women. The victim’s body was discovered strapped into the front seat to evade detection, triggering airport alerts and nationwide raids.  

What began as a promise of love, marriage, and a new life abroad ended in tragedy for a female physiotherapist (33) whose body was later found abandoned inside a car near Teldeniya Hospital. Police investigations into the death have taken a dramatic turn with the emergence of evidence pointing to an alleged serial fraudster, who is now on the run.   

Nuwara Eliya Headquarters Police, along with special police teams, have launched a manhunt for a suspect accused of posing as a software engineer and transporting the body of the physiotherapist from Nuwara Eliya to Kandy and Teldeniya. The victim has been identified as Rathnayake Pathiranage Shyama Darshani, a physiotherapist attached to the Ampara Hospital.   

Darshani was the youngest in her family and was raised with strong support and care from her mother and elder brothers. She was a bright student who completed her education up to the GCE Advanced Level at Weligama Sumangala Balika Vidyalaya before entering the University of Colombo, where she graduated in Physiotherapy. She later pursued additional studies in psychological counseling and began her professional career at the Ampara General Hospital.   

Although her family had previously arranged numerous marriage proposals, she had reportedly shown little interest in marriage for a long period. However, she later informed her family that she had met someone she intended to marry, introducing him as a software engineer named “Dineth Dissanayake.”   

Investigations revealed that the identity was false. Police say the suspect used a fabricated name and profession while engaging with the victim and her family.   

Police said that the suspect’s real name as Champika Srinath Jayathunga, a resident of Narammala, Kurunegala.   

Police also uncovered that the suspect is bald and had been meticulously maintaining his charade by wearing a wig throughout his interactions with the victim and her family.   

Police further charged that he built trust with the victim’s family through carefully staged visits and social interactions, including posing as a close associate of influential individuals and presenting himself as a well-connected professional.   

Police said that investigations had revealed that these actions were part of a broader plot of deception used to gain the family’s confidence.   

Police recovered Darshani’s body inside a car parked near Teldeniya Hospital last week.  

Investigations further revealed that the vehicle (Wagon-R) involved was registered under a woman named Thilini, who allegedly co-owned the vehicle with the suspect.   

Police said the suspect allegedly placed the body in the front passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt in an attempt to avoid suspicion while travelling. Investigations have revealed that the chief suspect is a notorious conman who uses various disguises and tactics to evade law enforcement across the country.   

According to police investigations, the suspect placed the victim’s body in the front passenger seat, fastened the seatbelt, and drove the vehicle undetected at around 6:30 p.m. on June 16.   

He initially parked the car outside his last known residence on Ayurveda Road, Kundasale, Kandy. Police later discovered through CCTV footage from nearby locations that he returned to the vehicle around 8:10 p.m. that night and drove away with the body.   

Further analysis of CCTV footage revealed that another van carrying a woman and three young children was closely trailing the suspect’s car. Police have confirmed that this woman is believed to be the suspect’s mistress. Investigators suspect she had prior knowledge of the physiotherapist’s death, and a special operation has been launched to arrest her as well.   

To prevent her from fleeing the country with the children, police have issued alerts to both Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA).   

Meanwhile, the woman suspected to be the suspect’s mistress reportedly arrived at his ancestral home in the Narammala, Dambadeniya area on the afternoon of the 21st in a three-wheeler, left two young children there, and fled.   

Police sources revealed that one of the children is approximately four years old.   

A team of officers from the Nuwara Eliya Police Station travelled to Narammala on Monday to conduct further investigations. 

Police also stated that the body of the female physiotherapist may have been transported earlier to a house linked to the suspect in Kundasale and kept there for some time.  

While Police are searching to arrest the fardster and the woman believed to be his mistress, it is reported that she abandoned the two older children at the suspect’s residence in Narammala before fleeing.   

Police also said that the suspect and his alleged mistress were previously arrested by Ranala Police in 2018 in connection with similar financial fraud cases.   

Police sources further stated that the woman allegedly introduced the suspect as her younger brother, while presenting herself as having no immediate family, to mislead others and facilitate marriage proposals involving young women.   

She is also believed to have assisted the suspect by portraying him as a software engineer, helping him lure young women into fraudulent relationships.   

Subsequently, the suspect developed romantic relationships with several women from affluent families, promising marriage and migration to European countries. He is alleged to have defrauded them of property and cash worth millions of rupees over several years.  

The victim, Shyama Darshani, also reportedly fell victim to his deception.   

Under the false promise of marriage and migration to Canada, the suspect is alleged to have defrauded her of over Rs. 15 million. When he began avoiding her, she reportedly fell into severe depression. Following her death under suspicious circumstances at a Nuwara Eliya apartment, the suspect allegedly transported her body and abandoned it near Teldeniya Hospital before fleeing.   

Police also uncovered that the suspect, while posing as a software engineer, ran a clothing shop in Katugastota. On the day of the incident, he allegedly instructed two female employees to close the shop abruptly. The employees were later interrogated by Police, leading to further revelations.   

A Police team also visited the suspect’s family home in Narammala, Kurunegala, to record statements. His mother stated that although he occasionally sent between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 200,000 for her expenses, she had not seen him in eight years, last visiting him at a residence in Athurugiriya.   

Meanwhile, the suspect’s elder brother gave an emotional and strongly worded statement to Police, disowning him completely.   

“I don’t even want to look at his face. He is a despicable human being who has ruined the lives of countless innocent girls across the country. Even though he is my brother, he is nothing but a master con artist,” the brother said.   

The family revealed that they had expelled him from the house eight years ago due to repeated financial disputes with creditors.   

Investigations indicate that the suspect has studied only up to the GCE Advanced Level and previously worked at a mobile telecommunications company. He was married once and has a child, but his wife left the country for employment due to his alleged criminal behavior.  

The family claims they do not know the child’s current whereabouts.   

Police believe the suspect is currently hiding under various disguises, and nearly 10 locations have already been raided. A senior police officer stated that anyone found harboring, protecting, or assisting the suspect or his alleged mistress will face legal action.   

During the magisterial and judicial medical examination on June 18, investigators observed signs of a possible struggle on the victim’s body.   

A cannula-like device was also found inserted above the ankle and secured with a handkerchief. In addition, there were indications of possible fractures or severe injuries to one arm and one leg.  

Police also said that the victim’s remains were later taken to her ancestral home in Weligama for burial, with arrangements made for possible future exhumation if required.   

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of Central Province Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake and Nuwara Eliya DIG Jagath Sandarasiri, led by Nuwara Eliya HQI Chief Inspector Chaminda Sanjeewa and Crime Branch OIC Chief Inspector Premalal.