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Sanjeewa’s body identified by mother and elder sister

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Ganemulle Sanjeewa

By Hemantha Randunu

The body of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, who was gunned down inside a Hulftsdorp Magistrate Court on Wednesday, was identified Thursday (20) at the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer’s office by his mother and elder sister, a senior officer from the Keselwatta Police told The Island.

Following the post-mortem examination, his mother took the body to the Jayaratne Funeral Parlour, where it was kept pending final rites at the Borella Cemetery.

Investigations have revealed that Sanjeewa was killed on the orders of an underworld leader, known as Kehelbaddara Padme, who is currently in hiding in Dubai. The killing was carried out by an assassin hired for Rs. 150 million, though it is reported that he had received only an advance payment of Rs. 2 million. Further inquiries indicate that the assassin had been using multiple aliases, including a previously reported Muslim name, which has now been confirmed as false.

Two days before the attack, the assassin reportedly disguised himself as a lawyer and visited Hulftsdorp Magistrate Courtroom No. 05 to observe and plan the execution of the attack.

Alongside him, a woman named Ishara Sewwandi, a known drug trafficker who also posed as a lawyer, visited the court to assess how the murder would be carried out, police investigations have revealed.

Further inquiries indicate that Kehelbaddara Padme’s father, Kehelbaddara Neville, was shot dead in 2018 on the orders of Ganemulle Sanjeewa. Police suspect Sanjeewa’s murder was an act of revenge.

Following the assassination, the assassin fled by a waiting van to the Kalpitiya area, from where he was to be smuggled to India by boat, as planned by Padme.

Ishara Sewwandi, the 25-year-old woman who assisted the assassin, and the assassin himself, are allegedly heavy users of crystal meth (ice), according to police. However, several other analysts on social media pointed out that the careful planning, and the calm execution of the plan do not seem to be indicative of the behaviour of drug addicts.

Investigations have also revealed that the pair had stayed at a hotel in Maradana the day before the attack.

Police have discovered that Kehelbaddara Padme coordinated the murder plot over the phone from Dubai, communicating with the assassin for nearly two weeks. Fake lawyer identification cards were created on Padme’s instructions to allow the assassin and Sewwandi to pose as legal professionals. Authorities are currently investigating those responsible for forging those IDs.

Police media spokesperson and Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Manatunga stated that the assassin operated under multiple aliases, including Mohammed Sherifdeen and Samidu Dilshan Widumanga Kadanaarachchi. The fake lawyer ID he used bore the name Kodikara Kasun Prabath Nishshanka.

The suspect is reportedly a resident of Maharagama and is believed to be responsible for several other murders. Investigations are ongoing into his alleged involvement in additional killings.

Meanwhile, police are examining messages exchanged via the mobile phone used by the shooter in Sanjeewa’s murder. It has also been discovered that someone had visited the hotel where the shooter was staying and handed him a fake lawyer ID with his photograph.

Further inquiries have revealed that after the shooting, the suspect purchased a white outfit from a shop in Nugegoda and discarded the lawyer’s robe he had been wearing in Kochchikade.

Kehelbaddara Padme has reportedly orchestrated a similar attack from overseas in the past.

On the morning of the 19th, Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, also known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, an underworld gang leader, was shot dead inside Courtroom No. 5 at Hulftsdorp.

His post-mortem examination was conducted at the Colombo National Hospital mortuary on the 20th, where forensic experts found multiple bullet wounds on his body, prompting them to conduct a CT scan.

Following the autopsy, the body was to be handed over to Sanjeewa’s wife, according to Ganemulla Police.

The body was temporarily placed at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella before family members and others paid their final respects.



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JMSDF MURASAME departs island

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Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME which arrived in Sri Lanka on 22 March 2025 for replenishment, departed the island on Tuesday (25 Mar).

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the stay in Sri Lanka, crew members of JMSDF MURASAME visited some popular tourist destinations within the Colombo city.

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UK sanctions Shavendra, Wasantha, others in line with Labour party’s election pledge – Secretary of State

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Lammy

UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, has said that sanctions were imposed on former Army Commanders General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and one-time LTTE Ampara-Batticaloa commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, alias Karuna Amman, in accordance with an assurance given to the electorate at the 2024 July general election.

The Labour party won the July 2024 general election.

The British government statement quoted Lammy as having said that he made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure that those responsible would not be allowed impunity. Lammy emphasised that this decision ensured that those responsible for past

human rights violations and abuses were held accountable.

The text of the statement: “The UK sanctions former Sri Lankan commanders and an ex–Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commander responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses during the civil war.

* Sanctions aim to seek accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, committed during the civil war, and to prevent a culture of impunity.

* UK is committed to working with new Sri Lankan government on human rights, welcoming their commitments to national unity.

The UK government has imposed sanctions on 4 individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war, including extra-judicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.

The individuals sanctioned by the UK today include former senior Sri Lankan military commanders, and a former LTTE military commander who later led the paramilitary Karuna Group, operating on behalf of the Sri Lankan military against the LTTE.

The measures, which include UK travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations and abuses, such as extra-judicial killings, during the civil war.

Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, said:

The UK government is committed to human rights in Sri Lanka, including seeking accountability for human rights violations and abuses which took place during the civil war, and which continue to have an impact on communities today.

I made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not be allowed immunity. This decision ensures that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses are held accountable.

The UK government looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government to improve human rights in Sri Lanka, and welcomes their commitments on national unity.

During her January visit to Sri Lanka, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, held constructive discussions on human rights with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations, as well as political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka.

For communities to move forward together, there must be acknowledgement, and accountability for past wrongdoing, which the sanctions listings introduced today will support. We want all Sri Lanka communities to be able to grow and prosper.

The UK remains committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan Government on human rights improvements as well as their broader reform agenda including economic growth and stability. As part of our Plan for Change, the UK recognises that promoting stability overseas is good for our national security.

The UK has long led international efforts to promote accountability in Sri Lanka alongside partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, which includes Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

The UK supported Sri Lanka’s economic reform through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, supporting debt restructuring as a member of Sri Lanka’s Official Creditor Committee and providing technical assistance to Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department.

The UK and Sri Lanka share strong cultural, economic and people to people ties, including through our educational systems. The UK has widened educational access in Sri Lanka through the British Council on English language training and work on transnational education to offer internationally accredited qualifications.”.

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China and US fund ambitious Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project

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By Samanthi Weerasekera

China and the United States are jointly funding the ambitious Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project, which, once completed, will offer an unparalleled experience, with cable cars operating over a kilometer between two mountains without any support structures.

During a visit to the project site on Saturday (23), Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said that this project is another symbol of the strengthening bond between Sri Lanka and China. “It is a pleasure to have a Chinese investor involved in such a project that further strengthens the bond between Sri Lanka and China,” the Ambassador said, reflecting on the significant international collaboration.

NDF Kandy District MP Anuradha Jayaratne, Chairman of the Ambuluwawa Board of Trustees, stated that the feasibility study for this project was first conducted 18 years ago. He credited the success of the project to the joint investments from China and the United States. “I would like to gratefully recall that it was possible to turn this dream into a reality because of the investors from China and America,” Jayaratne said.

He said that the first phase of the Ambuluwawa Cable Car Project, scheduled for completion later this year, is expected to provide a unique travel experience for visitors. Passengers will embark on a 600-meter cable car journey from the entrance gate of the Ambuluwawa Religious and Biodiversity Complex to the summit of Ambaluwawa Mountain. From there, a thrilling 1.2-kilometer ride will take them unsupported to the Ambuluwawa Tower, offering breathtaking views and a glimpse into Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.

Jayaratne noted that the second phase of the project will extend the cable car line to the Gampola Railway Station. This addition will provide a seamless connection for foreign tourists travelling by the Badulla train and those heading to Nuwara Eliya, allowing them to experience Sri Lanka’s first-ever cable car ride. The second phase will not only enhance tourism but is also expected to transform Gampola into a world-class tourist and commercial hub.

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