The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) immigration authorities apprehended a 25-year-old Sri Lankan national at the departure terminal, as he attempted to travel to Canada using a forged Canadian passport. The suspect, hailing from Point Pedro in Jaffna, was set to board a SriLankan Airlines flight UL217 to Doha before connecting to a flight bound for Canada.
The officials at the emigration counter grew suspicious of the Canadian passport presented by the individual, leading to his arrest. Subsequent investigation by the Department of Immigration and Emigration's Border Surveillance Unit (BSU) confirmed that the passport was indeed forged. Additionally, the authorities discovered the suspect's genuine Sri Lankan passport during a search of his belongings.
The arrested individual disclosed that he had obtained the forged Canadian passport for Rs.4 million from an individual near the 18 Mile Post on the Katunayake – Colombo main road, just before heading to the airport. According to the suspect, his uncle residing in Switzerland had arranged for this transaction.
Following the discovery, the 25-year-old was handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) unit at the BIA for further inquiries.
