By Hemanta Randunu and Norman Palihawadana

Those who planned the assassination of underworld leader Ganemulle Sanjeewa, inside Court No. 5 of the Hulftsdorp court complex, had taken advantage of the fact that the police did not conduct checks on lawyers, and the first response of the police was to secure the judges, police spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Buddhika Manatunga told the media on Wednesday.

When journalists pointed out that the attack had been carried out inside the court complex, swarming with police and STF personnel, and there had been a serious lapse on the part of the police, Manatunga admitted that there had been weaknesses in the security arrangements and steps would be taken to correct them.

Journalists also pointed out that intelligence officials conducted threat assessments before suspects with serious threats are brought before courts. Thus intelligence services had also failed in their duty, they pointed out.

A Special Forces deserter, disguised as a lawyer, has been identified as the gunman responsible for the assassination of underworld leader Ganemulle Sanjeewa inside Court No. 5 of the Hulftsdorp court complex in Colombo. The police have also identified a woman, similarly disguised as a lawyer, who assisted in smuggling the firearm used in the attack.

Investigations have revealed that the gunman was a contract killer with a history of underworld assassinations. Police sources indicate that he was heavily addicted to crystal meth (ICE) and had carried out contract killings for as little as Rs. 200,000.

It has been established that the firearm used in the attack had been smuggled into the courtroom by the female accomplice, who posed as a lawyer. She had concealed the firearm inside a modified criminal procedure code handbook, in which a section had been hollowed out to hide the weapon. The book was carried inside her handbag and taken into the courtroom undetected.

After the shooting, the assassin abandoned the firearm inside the courtroom before making his escape. Police suspect that the attack had been orchestrated by a rival underworld gang operating from Dubai.

Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, was brought to the Aluthkade court complex from Boossa Prison at approximately 9:50 AM yesterday (19) under heavy security provided by prison officers and the Special Task Force (STF). However, as armed STF officers were not permitted inside the courtroom, they remained outside near the entrance.

Once inside, Sanjeewa was seated under prison and police supervision.

Investigations have revealed that the assassin entered the courtroom before Sanjeewa’s arrival. His female accomplice, already inside, discreetly handed over the concealed firearm.

The assassin sat among the lawyers and even asked one of them, “Would it be alright if I sit here?” before taking his seat. As court proceedings were about to begin, Sanjeewa was escorted to the dock. At that moment, the assassin stood up abruptly, approached him, retrieved the pistol, and fired five shots at point-blank range.

Lawyers and civilians inside the courtroom panicked and fled, allowing both the gunman and his female accomplice to escape in the process.

Sanjeewa was immediately rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries a short while later.

Police believe the assassins chose to carry out the killing inside the courtroom because Sanjeewa was under tight security during transport, making an ambush on the way impossible. Investigations indicate that the killers had visited the Aluthkade court complex multiple times in the weeks leading up to the assassination to plan the attack. Reports suggest that additional accomplices were stationed outside the court to facilitate their escape.

The Colombo Crime Division (CCD) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the assassination, with additional support from the Peliyagoda and Nugegoda Criminal Investigation Divisions.

Police stated that they had no authority to search lawyers entering the courtroom, which enabled the disguised assassins to bring in the weapon without detection.

Ganemulle Sanjeewa was accused of committing nearly 60 murders, according to police records. In addition to his involvement in underworld activities, he faced multiple charges related to drug trafficking, extortion, and illegal arms dealing.

He was also implicated in several large-scale robberies, including the theft of Rs. 70 million, which was intended for deposit into private bank ATMs.

Police records indicate that Sanjeewa was responsible for contract killings across Ganemulla, Minuwangoda, Gampaha, Veyangoda, and Divulapitiya, with nearly 60 homicides linked to his name.

In 2023, he was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to re-enter Sri Lanka using a forged passport. He had been deported from India and was taken into custody upon arrival at Katunayake.

Following his arrest, he was detained for nine months at the Gampaha and Weeragula police stations before being produced in court and remanded in custody in April 2024.

Sanjeewa had reportedly made five failed attempts to assassinate a businessman named Osman, who had opposed his drug trafficking operations in the Gampaha region. On multiple occasions, members of Sanjeewa’s gang had been arrested with weapons while attempting to attack Osman.

The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne.

Main suspect arrested

The gunman responsible for the assassination of Ganemulle Sanjeewa was arrested during a special operation conducted by the Police Special Task Force (STF) in Pallaviya, Puttalam.

The suspect was attempting to flee in a van at the time of his arrest. The individual taken into custody has been identified as Mohammed Asman, a former commando of the Sri Lanka Army.