{"id":4800,"date":"2026-01-21T22:04:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/?p=4800"},"modified":"2026-01-21T22:04:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:34:30","slug":"sri-lankan-man-london-illegally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/2026\/01\/21\/sri-lankan-man-london-illegally\/","title":{"rendered":"Airport toilet boarding pass exchange leads to international arrest. Read how a Sri Lankan man reached London illegally."},"content":{"rendered":"<hr \/>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>British Man Arrested for Secret Boarding Pass Swap That Helped Sri Lankan Man Fly to UK Illegally<\/em><\/h2>\n<hr \/>\n<p data-start=\"470\" data-end=\"584\">A simple trip to the toilet at Bangalore\u2019s airport turned into the center of a shocking international crime story.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"586\" data-end=\"942\">Indian authorities arrested a British national after he secretly gave his boarding pass to a Sri Lankan man, helping him fly to the United Kingdom without a valid visa. The incident, reported on January 18, has now triggered investigations in <strong data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"861\">India, Sri Lanka, and the UK<\/strong>, exposing serious weaknesses in airport security and illegal migration networks.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"944\" data-end=\"1138\">The case involves <strong data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"984\">Kandaiah Rajagopal<\/strong>, a 52-year-old businessman from west London, and <strong data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1058\">Sharusan Kunasekaran<\/strong>, a Sri Lankan national who wanted to reach Britain but lacked legal permission.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1140\" data-end=\"1290\">What followed was a carefully planned boarding pass exchange inside an airport toilet, a suspicious eight-hour wait, and arrests across two countries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1292\" data-end=\"1424\">This article explains what happened, how the plan worked, why it matters, and what this case reveals about modern illegal migration.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1460\" data-end=\"1505\">A Secret Meeting Inside an Airport Toilet<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1728\">According to investigators, Kandaiah Rajagopal entered India on a tourist visa and booked a <strong data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1618\">Virgin Atlantic<\/strong> flight to London. At the same time, Sharusan Kunasekaran booked a ticket to <strong data-start=\"1695\" data-end=\"1727\">Singapore on<a href=\"https:\/\/www.goindigo.in\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> IndiGo Airlines<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1730\" data-end=\"1909\">After both men passed security checks at Bangalore\u2019s Kampala International Airport, they met secretly inside a toilet in the terminal. There, they exchanged their boarding passes.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1911\" data-end=\"1949\">This simple action changed everything.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"2131\">Sharusan used Kandaiah\u2019s boarding pass to board the London flight. Airport systems still showed the seat as belonging to the British passenger, so security allowed him to continue.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2133\" data-end=\"2167\">Meanwhile, Kandaiah stayed behind.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2219\">The Eight-Hour Wait That Raised Suspicion<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2318\">Instead of leaving the airport, Kandaiah remained inside the terminal for nearly <strong data-start=\"2302\" data-end=\"2317\">eight hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2320\" data-end=\"2418\">This unusual behavior attracted the attention of the <strong data-start=\"2373\" data-end=\"2417\">Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2420\" data-end=\"2555\">Security officers questioned him and contacted airline officials to confirm passenger details. They soon discovered something alarming:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2557\" data-end=\"2621\">\n<p data-start=\"2559\" data-end=\"2621\">Another person was already flying in Kandaiah\u2019s assigned seat.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"2623\" data-end=\"2677\">Faced with this evidence, Kandaiah admitted the truth.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2679\" data-end=\"2834\">He told police that he planned to help Sharusan reach London and later arranged another ticket so Sharusan could return to Sri Lanka after entering the UK.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2841\" data-end=\"2884\">Arrest in India and Detention in the UK<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2886\" data-end=\"2930\">Indian police arrested Kandaiah immediately.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2932\" data-end=\"3104\">At the same time, Indian authorities informed officials in the United Kingdom. When Sharusan arrived in London, UK officers detained him for entering the country illegally.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3106\" data-end=\"3175\">Officials are now preparing to <strong data-start=\"3137\" data-end=\"3174\">deport Sharusan back to Sri Lanka<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3336\">Meanwhile, Indian courts remanded Kandaiah to <strong data-start=\"3223\" data-end=\"3260\">Parappana Agrahara Central Prison<\/strong>. Authorities charged him under the <strong data-start=\"3296\" data-end=\"3335\">Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3343\" data-end=\"3373\">Who Is Kandaiah Rajagopal?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3375\" data-end=\"3416\">Kandaiah Rajagopal is not a new traveler.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3418\" data-end=\"3649\">He has lived in London for about <strong data-start=\"3451\" data-end=\"3463\">30 years<\/strong> and works as a businessman. During questioning, he told police that he survived a shooting in <strong data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3581\">Trincomalee in 2012<\/strong>, a detail that added another layer of complexity to his background.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3651\" data-end=\"3744\">However, authorities have not confirmed whether that past event connects to the current case.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3746\" data-end=\"3773\">What remains clear is this:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3775\" data-end=\"3856\">He knowingly helped another person travel illegally across international borders.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3863\" data-end=\"3908\">How Could This Happen at a Major Airport?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"3946\">This case raises a serious question:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3948\" data-end=\"4025\"><strong data-start=\"3948\" data-end=\"4025\">How can someone fly internationally using another person\u2019s boarding pass?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4027\" data-end=\"4044\">Airports rely on:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4046\" data-end=\"4137\">\n<li data-start=\"4046\" data-end=\"4065\">\n<p data-start=\"4048\" data-end=\"4065\">Boarding passes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4066\" data-end=\"4085\">\n<p data-start=\"4068\" data-end=\"4085\">Passport checks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4086\" data-end=\"4107\">\n<p data-start=\"4088\" data-end=\"4107\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/?s=Airline\">Airline<\/a> databases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4108\" data-end=\"4137\">\n<p data-start=\"4110\" data-end=\"4137\">Face-to-face verification<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4139\" data-end=\"4227\">But human error, busy terminals, and similar physical features can weaken these systems.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4229\" data-end=\"4256\">Investigators believe that:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4258\" data-end=\"4429\">\n<li data-start=\"4258\" data-end=\"4290\">\n<p data-start=\"4260\" data-end=\"4290\">The boarding pass was valid.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4291\" data-end=\"4373\">\n<p data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4373\">The passport inspection may not have matched carefully with the boarding name.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4429\">\n<p data-start=\"4376\" data-end=\"4429\">The rush at boarding gates helped the swap succeed.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4431\" data-end=\"4527\">This incident shows how <strong data-start=\"4455\" data-end=\"4526\">illegal migration methods are becoming smarter and harder to detect<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4534\" data-end=\"4581\">Illegal Migration: A Growing Global Problem<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4583\" data-end=\"4660\">Across the world, thousands of people attempt to migrate illegally each year.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4662\" data-end=\"4672\">Some seek:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4674\" data-end=\"4761\">\n<li data-start=\"4674\" data-end=\"4689\">\n<p data-start=\"4676\" data-end=\"4689\">Better jobs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4690\" data-end=\"4714\">\n<p data-start=\"4692\" data-end=\"4714\">Safety from conflict<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4715\" data-end=\"4739\">\n<p data-start=\"4717\" data-end=\"4739\">Family reunification<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4740\" data-end=\"4761\">\n<p data-start=\"4742\" data-end=\"4761\">Medical treatment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4763\" data-end=\"4834\">Others fall into the hands of smugglers who charge large sums of money.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4836\" data-end=\"4968\">In this case, authorities still investigate whether money changed hands between the two men or whether larger networks are involved.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4970\" data-end=\"5044\">Even one successful attempt encourages more people to try similar methods.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5051\" data-end=\"5089\">Legal Consequences Could Be Severe<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5091\" data-end=\"5151\">Kandaiah faces multiple serious charges in India, including:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5153\" data-end=\"5252\">\n<li data-start=\"5153\" data-end=\"5184\">\n<p data-start=\"5155\" data-end=\"5184\">Assisting illegal migration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5185\" data-end=\"5221\">\n<p data-start=\"5187\" data-end=\"5221\">Providing false travel documents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5222\" data-end=\"5252\">\n<p data-start=\"5224\" data-end=\"5252\">Violating immigration laws<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5254\" data-end=\"5282\">If convicted, he could face:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5284\" data-end=\"5361\">\n<li data-start=\"5284\" data-end=\"5299\">\n<p data-start=\"5286\" data-end=\"5299\">Heavy fines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5300\" data-end=\"5327\">\n<p data-start=\"5302\" data-end=\"5327\">Several years in prison<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5328\" data-end=\"5361\">\n<p data-start=\"5330\" data-end=\"5361\">Permanent travel restrictions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5363\" data-end=\"5427\">Sharusan may also face legal action in the UK and Sri Lanka for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5429\" data-end=\"5531\">\n<li data-start=\"5429\" data-end=\"5458\">\n<p data-start=\"5431\" data-end=\"5458\">Entering the UK illegally<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5459\" data-end=\"5491\">\n<p data-start=\"5461\" data-end=\"5491\">Using false travel documents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5492\" data-end=\"5531\">\n<p data-start=\"5494\" data-end=\"5531\">Violating international travel laws<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"5538\" data-end=\"5576\">Why This Case Matters to Sri Lanka<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5578\" data-end=\"5635\">Sri Lanka has struggled with illegal migration for years.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5637\" data-end=\"5708\">Many citizens risk dangerous journeys to reach Europe or the UK due to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5710\" data-end=\"5772\">\n<li data-start=\"5710\" data-end=\"5731\">\n<p data-start=\"5712\" data-end=\"5731\">Economic pressure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5732\" data-end=\"5748\">\n<p data-start=\"5734\" data-end=\"5748\">Lack of jobs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5749\" data-end=\"5772\">\n<p data-start=\"5751\" data-end=\"5772\">Rising living costs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5774\" data-end=\"5865\">This incident places Sri Lanka again in international headlines, highlighting the need for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5867\" data-end=\"5991\">\n<li data-start=\"5867\" data-end=\"5898\">\n<p data-start=\"5869\" data-end=\"5898\">Stronger awareness programs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5899\" data-end=\"5928\">\n<p data-start=\"5901\" data-end=\"5928\">Legal migration education<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5929\" data-end=\"5954\">\n<p data-start=\"5931\" data-end=\"5954\">Tighter travel checks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5955\" data-end=\"5991\">\n<p data-start=\"5957\" data-end=\"5991\">Support for job creation at home<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5993\" data-end=\"6089\">Authorities fear that such stories may inspire others to attempt similar illegal travel methods.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6094\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"6096\" data-end=\"6136\">Airport Security Under the Spotlight<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6138\" data-end=\"6192\">After this incident, security experts are calling for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6194\" data-end=\"6340\">\n<li data-start=\"6194\" data-end=\"6238\">\n<p data-start=\"6196\" data-end=\"6238\">Biometric verification at boarding gates<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6239\" data-end=\"6269\">\n<p data-start=\"6241\" data-end=\"6269\">Facial recognition systems<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6270\" data-end=\"6295\">\n<p data-start=\"6272\" data-end=\"6295\">Better staff training<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6296\" data-end=\"6340\">\n<p data-start=\"6298\" data-end=\"6340\">Random identity rechecks before boarding<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6342\" data-end=\"6441\">Even a single failure can lead to international embarrassment, security threats, and legal trouble.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6443\" data-end=\"6446\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"6448\" data-end=\"6470\">What Happens Next?<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6472\" data-end=\"6527\">Indian police continue their investigation to find out:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6529\" data-end=\"6689\">\n<li data-start=\"6529\" data-end=\"6580\">\n<p data-start=\"6531\" data-end=\"6580\">Whether other people helped plan this operation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6581\" data-end=\"6625\">\n<p data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6625\">Whether similar attempts happened before<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6626\" data-end=\"6689\">\n<p data-start=\"6628\" data-end=\"6689\">Whether smuggling networks operate through the same airport<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6691\" data-end=\"6756\">UK authorities are preparing legal procedures to deport Sharusan.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6758\" data-end=\"6823\">Sri Lankan officials may question him upon arrival to understand:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6825\" data-end=\"6919\">\n<li data-start=\"6825\" data-end=\"6852\">\n<p data-start=\"6827\" data-end=\"6852\">Who planned the journey<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6853\" data-end=\"6879\">\n<p data-start=\"6855\" data-end=\"6879\">Whether money was paid<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6880\" data-end=\"6919\">\n<p data-start=\"6882\" data-end=\"6919\">Whether other migrants are involved<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"6921\" data-end=\"6924\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"6926\" data-end=\"6969\">A Simple Swap With Serious Consequences<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6971\" data-end=\"7007\">This story proves one thing clearly:<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7009\" data-end=\"7069\">A small action can cause massive international consequences.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7071\" data-end=\"7119\">A boarding pass exchange inside a toilet led to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"7121\" data-end=\"7253\">\n<li data-start=\"7121\" data-end=\"7149\">\n<p data-start=\"7123\" data-end=\"7149\">Arrests in two countries<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7150\" data-end=\"7176\">\n<p data-start=\"7152\" data-end=\"7176\">Diplomatic cooperation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7177\" data-end=\"7197\">\n<p data-start=\"7179\" data-end=\"7197\">Prison sentences<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7198\" data-end=\"7213\">\n<p data-start=\"7200\" data-end=\"7213\">Public fear<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7214\" data-end=\"7253\">\n<p data-start=\"7216\" data-end=\"7253\">Renewed debate on illegal migration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"7255\" data-end=\"7258\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"7260\" data-end=\"7277\">\u00a0Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7279\" data-end=\"7426\">The arrest of Kandaiah Rajagopal and the detention of Sharusan Kunasekaran reveal how fragile global travel systems can be when people misuse them.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7428\" data-end=\"7485\">This case is not just about two individuals. It is about:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"7487\" data-end=\"7595\">\n<li data-start=\"7487\" data-end=\"7507\">\n<p data-start=\"7489\" data-end=\"7507\">Airport security<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7508\" data-end=\"7529\">\n<p data-start=\"7510\" data-end=\"7529\">Illegal migration<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7530\" data-end=\"7551\">\n<p data-start=\"7532\" data-end=\"7551\">Human desperation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7552\" data-end=\"7573\">\n<p data-start=\"7554\" data-end=\"7573\">International law<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7574\" data-end=\"7595\">\n<p data-start=\"7576\" data-end=\"7595\">And public safety<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"7597\" data-end=\"7711\">Authorities must now tighten controls, educate travelers, and dismantle any networks connected to such operations.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7713\" data-end=\"7768\">For ordinary people, this story sends a strong message:<\/p>\n<blockquote data-start=\"7770\" data-end=\"7870\">\n<p data-start=\"7772\" data-end=\"7870\">Illegal shortcuts may look easy, but they almost always end in arrest, loss, and long-term damage.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>British Man Arrested for Secret Boarding Pass Swap That Helped Sri Lankan Man Fly to UK Illegally A simple trip to the toilet at Bangalore\u2019s airport turned into the center&hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_205606689_205606689":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,16,13],"tags":[4899,4895,4893,4891,4894,4897,4898,4892,4900,4896],"class_list":["post-4800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local","category-local-home","category-main-story","tag-airport-smuggling-case","tag-bangalore-airport-security-breach","tag-boarding-pass-swap-airport-toilet","tag-british-national-arrested-in-india","tag-illegal-migration-to-uk","tag-immigration-and-foreigners-act-2025","tag-sri-lankan-illegal-travel-news","tag-sri-lankan-man-illegal-uk-flight","tag-uk-deportation-sri-lankan-man","tag-virgin-atlantic-flight-incident"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4800"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4802,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4800\/revisions\/4802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ceylondailynews.lk\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}