Ganemulla Sanjeewa shot dead at Colombo Hulftsdorp court complex

Notorious underworld figure and drug trafficker Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ was shot dead at the Colombo Hulftsdorp Court Complex this morning (February 19).

According to the police, the assailant, disguised as a lawyer, infiltrated the court premises and carried out the targeted attack on Sanjeewa.

Initially reported to be in critical condition and rushed to the hospital, police later confirmed that Sanjeewa had succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who had been remanded at Boosa Prison, was escorted to court this morning by prison officials for legal proceedings.

Meanwhile, police have recovered the revolver-type firearm used in the shooting within the court complex. After the attack, the gunman abandoned the revolver at the scene and escaped through a nearby door.

Sanjeewa was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake upon his return from Nepal on September 13, 2023. At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of a forged passport bearing the personal details of a woman believed to be a resident of Dematagoda.

Authorities believe that Sanjeewa initially fled to India by boat, later escaped to Nepal, and ultimately returned to Sri Lanka after an Interpol Red Notice was issued for his arrest.

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UPDATE – 03:00 PM:

Investigations revealed that the revolver was carefully concealed inside a legal document book titled Code of Criminal Procedure, commonly used by lawyers in court.

Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga stated that the pages of the book, titled Code of Criminal Procedure, had been cut to the shape of a revolver, concealing the weapon inside.

The firearm had been carefully smuggled into the court by criminals. It was also discovered that a woman, disguised as a lawyer, handed the book to the suspect inside the court premises.