US national living with fake Sinhala name arrested in Kandy

An American national, who had been staying in Sri Lanka for nearly ten months without a valid visa while using a Sinhala name under his American passport, was arrested by the Tourist Police of the Kandy.

The suspect was found staying at a tourist hotel in the Dalukgolla area on Galtenna Road, Kandy.

The individual had arrived in Sri Lanka on December 31, 2023, with a valid visa, which expired on March 30, 2024.

However, he failed to renew his visa and continued to stay in the country without a valid visa, according to the police.

His name on the American passport is listed as "Ariyarathna Sanjeeva Senarathna," and he had arrived at the hotel on December 21, 2024. According to hotel staff, he mostly stayed in his room and was using a laptop, which was confirmed during their inquiries.

A detailed investigation into this foreign national has been launched, and the suspect was due  to be produced before the Kandy Magistrate's Court today.

The Kandy Main Police Station's Tourist Police will continue further investigations under the guidance of Senior Police Officer Anuruddha Bandaranayake and the supervision of Chief Inspector Rasika Sampath.

By Shane Seneviratne