Courtroom Chaos: Gang Leader Shot in Sri Lanka Amidst Escalating Violence

The shocking assassination of gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne in a Sri Lankan courthouse raises pressing security and gang violence concerns, prompting authorities to reassess safety measures.

A notorious gang leader in Sri Lanka was fatally shot by a gunman posing as a lawyer inside a courthouse, according to police reports. The incident occurred in Colombo when the gang leader, Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, was brought to court for his trial. Authorities state the weapon, a revolver, was smuggled into the courthouse in a hollowed-out book by an unidentified female accomplice, who is still on the run.

Commonly known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, the gang leader had been in police custody since his arrest in September 2023, and he was a prime suspect in several murder investigations. Witnesses reported that a dozen police officers escorted him to the courthouse, but despite their presence, he was shot and later pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Following the shooting, the gunman managed to escape the scene but was subsequently apprehended by police. His identity remains ambiguous as different names have surfaced from both authorities and local media. Meanwhile, the female accomplice, identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, is still at large, and authorities have issued a reward for information leading to her capture.

Further investigations led to the arrest of a police officer and a van driver believed to be complicit in the crime. This incident is part of a larger pattern of gang violence plaguing Sri Lanka, with lawmakers emphasizing the urgent need to tackle this “major security issue.” Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa reaffirmed the government's commitment to confronting organized crime.

Additionally, the courthouse incident has catalyzed discussions about security protocols within the judicial system. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara announced immediate reviews of current security measures and the introduction of armed guards for specific detainee transfers to enhance courthouse safety. Recent police data indicates that gang-related violence has already resulted in at least nine deaths this year, underscoring the dire situation authorities are facing in Sri Lanka.