Notorious Gang Chief Slain in Court by Poseur Attorney
Body: A famed mob boss has been assassinated in a Sri Lankan courtroom by an individual masquerading as an attorney, according to law enforcement reports. The shooter employed a handgun that was covertly transported into the court inside a hollow book by a still-at-large female accomplice.
Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, the gang chief, was under escort for court proceedings when he was fatally shot. Known for his involvement in an array of murder cases, Samararathne's demise was but one incident in a string of murders fueled by inter-gang rivalry, despite the government's commitment to mitigating gang-related violence.
Samararathne, also identified as Ganemulle Sanjeewa in some circles, had been in detention since his arrest in September 2023. On the day of his death, he was accompanied to the courthouse by a group of twelve officers. After the shooting, he was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead upon arrival.
The shooter managed to elude immediate capture, only to be apprehended later by the police. His identity has been a source of confusion, with multiple names being linked to him by the authorities and the media.
Law enforcement has named the female accomplice as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi. A reward notice has been issued for anyone who can provide information regarding her whereabouts. Additionally, a policeman and a van driver have been detained under suspicion of assisting the two primary culprits.
The escalating gang violence has been debated in the parliament, with an opposition lawmaker labeling it a "significant security concern". Nalinda Jayatissa, the Minister for Health and Mass Media, reiterated the government's determination to address the actions of organized crime syndicates effectively.
The incident has sparked a review of courthouse security. In response to the shooting, new security measures are being put in place, such as the introduction of armed guards during the transportation of certain individuals to court. Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara explained that armed personnel are not usually permitted inside the court.
Local law enforcement data reveals that this year alone, a minimum of nine individuals have lost their lives in a series of shootings attributed to gang rivalry.