Man disguised as lawyer kills gang leader in court

[bnew]

Gang leader shot dead in court by man disguised as lawyer

Police in Sri Lanka say the gunman used a revolver which was smuggled in a hollowed-out book.

www.bbc.com

Man disguised as lawyer kills gang leader in court​

2 days ago

Koh Ewe
BBC News

Getty Images

The gun used to shoot the defendant was allegedly smuggled in with a hollowed-out book

A notorious gang leader has died after he was shot inside a courthouse in Sri Lanka by a gunman disguised as a lawyer, say police.

Police say the gunman used a revolver which was smuggled in a hollowed-out book by a female suspect, who remains at large.

Gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne had been escorted to court to face proceedings when he was shot. Police say he was a suspect in multiple murder cases.

The shooting in the capital Colombo is among a series of killings by rivalling gangs, which has persisted as authorities vow to crack down on gang violence in the country.

The gang leader, popularly known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, had been in custody since he was arrested in September 2023.

Police said he had been escorted to the courthouse on Wednesday by a dozen police officers. He was taken to hospital after he was shot but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The gunman managed to flee the scene but was later captured by police. He has been identified differently by authorities and local media, but police say that he used several names.

Police have identified the female suspect as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi.

Authorities have put out a notice promising a reward for anyone providing information on the woman. Police say they have also arrested a policeman and van driver suspected of helping the two suspects in the shooting.

Lawmakers discussed reining in gang violence in parliament on Wednesday, with an opposition MP calling it a "major security issue".

Health and mass media minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who in December had pledged to crack down on such criminal activity, said on Wednesday that the government would "take the actions of organised underworld gangs seriously."

The incident has also raised questions about security in the courthouse, with authorities currently reviewing security measures.

New security protocols are being implemented in the wake of the shooting, including deploying armed guards when certain people are brought to court. Armed security personnel are not typically allowed in court, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara said on Thursday.

At least nine people have died this year in a spate of shootings blamed on gang rivalry, according to AFP citing police data.

 

[Uchiha God]

Reads like the plot of a movie

 

[ReasonableMatic]

this some movie type shyt, coming to a cinema near you

 

[Bryan Danielson]

No needs to say “Man”

That was a legit Assassin

 

[Yaboysix]

How come I knew this was in another country.

We got high profile hang leaders now a days?

 

[Brolic]

 

[Mr.FOH]

One way or another
I’m gonna find you
I’m gonna get you
I’m gonna get you get you get you

 

[TEH]

From the CCTV footage

 

[bnew]

https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=105975

‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder a Rs. 15 million contract - killer confesses​

February 20, 2025 09:13 pm

The suspect arrested in connection with the assassination of the notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, has confessed to carrying out the murder based on a contract of Rs. 15 million, police sources revealed.

During the interrogation, the suspect has revealed that the assassination was orchestrated by underworld figures infamously known by the aliases “Kehelbaddara Padme”, “Commando Salinda”, and “Avishka”.

The suspect has further stated that he was paid Rs. 200,000 fortnightly as part of the agreement.

According to the confession, the shooter received the firearm inside the court premises from a female accomplice, identified as 25-year-old Pingpura Devage Ishara Sewwandi, a resident of Katuwellegama, Negombo. The suspect also admitted to having a close relationship with the woman.

He has later concealed the weapon in his waist before opening fire on “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” inside the No. 05 Magistrate’s Court in Hulftsdorp Courts Complex.

Following the shooting, the gunman has fled the scene using a rental vehicle booked via a ride-hailing app as a pre-arranged vehicle had failed to show up.

After reaching an area near Negombo, he and the female suspect visited a shop to purchase new clothing. He has stated that he then rented a van in order to travel to Kalpitiya, from where he intended to flee to India.

Further revelations from the suspect indicate that criminal figure known as “Avishka” had provided him with the necessary fake identification cards. Additionally, he confessed to also carrying out the recent double murder in Watarappala, Mount Lavinia.

Meanwhile, the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today that the shooter and the van driver who assisted him have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as investigations continue. A further report was submitted to the court today.

Police are now seeking public assistance in locating Pingpura Devage Ishara Sewwandi, who allegedly aided the shooter. Her grandmother has claimed that she has not returned home for some time.

Investigations have also revealed that following the murder, Sewwandi had made a phone call to an officer attached to the Negombo Police Station. She was reportedly required to appear at the Negombo Police Station on the first Sunday of each month in connection with a prior drug-related offense.

However, during the call, she had informed the officer that she would not be able to appear next month as she was planning to travel to Dubai. The officer had warned her that she could not leave the country without a court order, leading to an official statement being recorded from him.

Police urge anyone with information regarding the female suspect’s whereabouts to contact the following numbers:

 

[bnew]

Two more including constable arrested over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder - LankaXpress

Two more including constable arrested over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder

www.lankaxpress.com

Two more including constable arrested over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder​

February 22, 2025

LankaXpress Reporter

Another two suspects in connection with the assassination of notorious underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias “Ganemulla Sanjeewa.” have been remanded until March 07 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

The suspects were apprehended by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and were produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani today (22).

Accordingly, the driver of the vehicle used by the gunman in the “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” shooting to travel from Kaduwela to the Colombo Magistrate Court, and another suspect who is a Police Constable attached to Athurugiriya Police were produced before the court today (22).

Additionally, police have also presented a report on the progress of the investigations into the incident to the court.

Accordingly, after considering the facts presented before the court, the magistrate has ordered the two suspects to be placed in remand custody until March 07.

 

[bnew]

Gunman reveals woman's role in killing Ganemulla Sanjeewa - Sri Lanka

The man who shot and killed underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court Complex revealed to the police that the gun used in the murder was provided by a woman named Pinpura Devage Ishara Sewwandi, who had been staying with him at a...

www.onlanka.com

Gunman reveals woman’s role in killing Ganemulla Sanjeewa​

Posted by Editor on February 21, 2025 - 10:51 am

Gunman involved in Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s murder

The man who shot and killed underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court Complex revealed to the police that the gun used in the murder was provided by a woman named Pinpura Devage Ishara Sewwandi, who had been staying with him at a lodging house in Kaduwela.

Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga confirmed that the suspect had inspected the gun before the incident.

Reports indicate that the woman and the suspect had been residing together at the Kaduwela lodging house prior to the murder.

Ganemulla Sanjeewa was killed on the morning of February 19, 2025.

After the murder, the gunman and Ishara Sewwandi took a hired vehicle to Nugegoda, where they purchased clothing at a well-known store.

Following this, the woman met the suspect in Nugegoda, and both traveled to Negombo in a hired vehicle via the expressway.

Investigations later revealed that the suspect, after the murder, traveled by van to Kalpitiya with plans to escape to India.

The police also discovered that the woman fled from Negombo in a three-wheeler.

Further investigations showed that the woman and the suspect had stayed at two lodging houses in Divulapitiya and Negombo several days before the murder.

According to the police, the contract for killing Ganemulla Sanjeewa was worth Rs. 15,000,000, with the suspect stating that Rs. 200,000 had already been deposited into an account.

The remaining payment was agreed to be made in India.

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) is continuing its investigation to apprehend the woman who is on the run.

 

[east]

(timestamped)

 

[CopiousX]

Gunman reveals woman's role in killing Ganemulla Sanjeewa - Sri Lanka

The man who shot and killed underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court Complex revealed to the police that the gun used in the murder was provided by a woman named Pinpura Devage Ishara Sewwandi, who had been staying with him at a...

www.onlanka.com

​

​

Gunman reveals woman’s role in killing Ganemulla Sanjeewa​

Posted by Editor on February 21, 2025 - 10:51 am

The police also discovered that the woman fled from Negombo in a three-wheeler.

Further investigations showed that the woman and the suspect had stayed at two lodging houses in Divulapitiya and Negombo several days before the murder.

According to the police, the contract for killing Ganemulla Sanjeewa was worth Rs. 15,000,000, with the suspect stating that Rs. 200,000 had already been deposited into an account.

The remaining payment was agreed to be made in India.

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) is continuing its investigation to apprehend the woman who is on the run.

In fact, in India thats actually not bad. If he somehow escapes execution , it would actually be worth it. Also, Maybe he was raising the cash for someone at home in case he didn't survive?


Whole stem proffesors only make 12k a year in india, and this guy was payed 117k. The organization behind him must be huge. In an American context, that would be like you getting a cool million for the deed.


Normally hitmen get horrible deals . I mean last year we had a hitter in new york risk penitentiary chances for 6k

 

[east]

Whole stem proffesors only make 12k a year in india, and this guy was payed 117k. The organization behind him must be huge. In an American context, that would be like you getting a cool million for the deed.

these are sri lankan rupees not indian, he got paid $675

 

[CopiousX]

these are sri lankan rupees not indian, he got paid $675

This stupid mofo threw his life away. I Cancel my last comment