By Roy Denish
A physiotherapist’s dream of starting a new life abroad ended in tragedy after allegedly falling victim to a man accused of deception, fraud, and murder. Police are now hunting a suspect who allegedly used a fake identity, a wig, and false promises to swindle millions before disappearing.
Authorities have intensified a major manhunt following the discovery of a 34-year-old female physiotherapist’s body inside a parked car near the Teldeniya Hospital on June 17, 2026. The victim, a resident of Weligama, had been working at the Ampara General Hospital until her recent resignation on June 11, when she reportedly told colleagues she was planning to migrate overseas.
Initial investigations indicate that the cause of death is suspected to be strangulation, as noticeable scratch marks were discovered on her neck. Police tracking the case revealed that the victim had been staying at a lodging facility in Nuwara Eliya with her boyfriend prior to her death. Surveillance footage from the area captured a critical moment showing the suspect carrying her away on the night before the vehicle and her body were discovered.
While the suspect initially introduced himself to the victim as a software engineer named Dineth Dissanayake from Gannoruwa, Kandy, a deep dive into his background exposed a massive web of deception. Police verified his true identity through National Identity Card records as Jayasundara Mudiyanselage Champika Sriyan Jayasundara, a 43-year-old married father of three from Narammala. Investigators discovered that he had been wearing a wig to alter his physical appearance and suspect that his claim of being a software engineer was entirely fabricated to gain the trust of his victims.
The apparent motive behind the crime involves massive financial fraud. The deceased had recently secured a bank loan and handed over approximately Rs. 15 million to the suspect under the impression that they were finalizing plans to travel abroad together. Further inquiries revealed that the suspect is a serial fraudster with existing criminal complaints and active court proceedings in Gampaha, Aluthkade, Tissamaharama, and Padukka for swindling multiple women out of their money, allegedly with the knowledge and assistance of his legal wife.
Three specialized police teams under the direct supervision of the Nuwara Eliya Divisional Crimes Investigation Division are actively conducting operations across multiple areas to apprehend him.
