Security protocols are under review following the assassination linked to ongoing gang violence in the country.
**Fatal Courtroom Shooting of Notorious Gang Leader Raises Security Concerns in Sri Lanka**
**Fatal Courtroom Shooting of Notorious Gang Leader Raises Security Concerns in Sri Lanka**
A gang leader was killed by a man posing as a lawyer in a dramatic courthouse attack.
In a shocking incident at a courthouse in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, a well-known gang leader, was fatally shot by a gunman impersonating a lawyer. Authorities reported that the shooter used a revolver that was smuggled into the courtroom concealed within a hollowed-out book, an act allegedly facilitated by a female accomplice, who remains unidentified and on the run.
Samararathne, commonly referred to as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, was facing multiple murder charges and had been in police custody since September. On the day of the shooting, he was escorted to court under the protection of a dozen police officers, who rushed him to the hospital after he was attacked. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following the incident, the assailant fled the scene but was later apprehended by the police, who confirmed that he had been using false identities. The suspected female accomplice has been identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, and authorities have initiated a reward program for information leading to her capture. Additionally, a policeman and a van driver have been arrested for their alleged roles in facilitating the attack.
The brazen shooting has prompted Sri Lankan lawmakers to address the escalating gang violence, which has claimed the lives of at least nine individuals this year alone. Health and mass media minister Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized the government's commitment to tackling organized crime more seriously.
This incident has raised alarms about security measures within the courthouse, leading to a comprehensive review of existing protocols, which may include new restrictions on armed personnel. Justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that stakeholders are considering deploying armed guards during specific court hearings. The tragic shooting highlights the ongoing struggle against gang rivalry that continues to plague Sri Lanka despite governmental promises for stricter measures.
Samararathne, commonly referred to as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, was facing multiple murder charges and had been in police custody since September. On the day of the shooting, he was escorted to court under the protection of a dozen police officers, who rushed him to the hospital after he was attacked. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following the incident, the assailant fled the scene but was later apprehended by the police, who confirmed that he had been using false identities. The suspected female accomplice has been identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, and authorities have initiated a reward program for information leading to her capture. Additionally, a policeman and a van driver have been arrested for their alleged roles in facilitating the attack.
The brazen shooting has prompted Sri Lankan lawmakers to address the escalating gang violence, which has claimed the lives of at least nine individuals this year alone. Health and mass media minister Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized the government's commitment to tackling organized crime more seriously.
This incident has raised alarms about security measures within the courthouse, leading to a comprehensive review of existing protocols, which may include new restrictions on armed personnel. Justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara confirmed that stakeholders are considering deploying armed guards during specific court hearings. The tragic shooting highlights the ongoing struggle against gang rivalry that continues to plague Sri Lanka despite governmental promises for stricter measures.
