Gunman Disguised as Lawyer Kills Notorious Sri Lankan Gang Leader in Court

In a shocking twist inside a courthouse in Sri Lanka, notorious gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne was fatally shot by a gunman who managed to blend in as a lawyer.

According to police reports, the assailant, armed with a revolver smuggled in a hollowed-out book by a female accomplice still on the run, opened fire while Samararathne, also known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, was escorted to face charges. A key figure in a string of murder cases, Samararathne’s death marks a grim chapter in the ongoing gang violence gripping the nation.

The daylight shooting, which occurred in the heart of Colombo, is part of an escalating wave of gang-related bloodshed that authorities have vowed to confront.

Despite being under heavy police escort, Samararathne was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after. The gunman, who managed to escape the scene, was apprehended later, though his identity remains shrouded in confusion, with conflicting names reported.

Authorities have issued a public appeal for information on the female suspect, identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, offering a reward for any leads.

In a significant development, police have arrested a policeman and a van driver suspected of assisting the attackers. Meanwhile, the violent event has sparked urgent discussions in Parliament, with lawmakers deeming gang violence a critical security threat.

Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa reiterated the government’s resolve to tackle organized crime, while Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara announced new security measures aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.

These include the unprecedented deployment of armed guards during certain high-risk court appearances, as authorities reassess their courthouse security protocols.

With at least nine gang-related deaths already this year, the bloody conflict between rival gangs shows no sign of abating, raising alarms about the safety of Sri Lanka’s streets and institutions.