Murder at Hulftsdorp Court Complex sends shockwaves

• Police arrest main suspect in murder of ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’

The Police Special Task Force (STF) yesterday arrested the suspected gunman who shot and killed notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, also known as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ inside the Hulftsdorp Court Complex.

He was nabbed in the Palaviya area in Puttalam by STF personnel while fleeing in a van.

The arrested suspect has been identified as 34-year-old Mohamed Azman Sheriffdeen.

The infamous gang leader known as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ was fatally shot in the No. 5 Magistrate’s Court within the Aluthkade Courts Complex (Hulftsdorp).

‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa,’ who was remanded in custody at Boossa Prison, was escorted to Court by prison officials for court proceedings. He was a suspect in 19 murder cases, according to Police.

Police also discovered the revolver-type firearm which was used in the shooting inside the Court Complex.

According to police, the suspect had entered the Court premises disguised as an attorney while the firearm used in the shooting, a revolver, was smuggled into the Court premises by concealing it inside a hollowed-out book, with the pages cut out in the shape of the gun.

The suspect had managed to flee the scene following the shooting and investigations were launched to arrest the suspect.

Police later said that they have also identified a woman who aided and abetted the shooting.

Speaking during a special press conference, Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga said that the suspected woman, who was also disguised as a lawyer and entered the Court Complex, had brought the gun which was used in the assassination into the Court.

He confirmed that the firearm used in the shooting, a revolver, was smuggled into the Court premises by the suspected woman by concealing it inside a hollowed-out book.

Furthermore, the Police Spokesman clarified that several gates were available to access the Court premises and that the assailant had fled the scene from a nearby gate while telling the other people that “there is a shooting inside.”

He also explained that although the Police immediately took action to close the gates and conducted a search covering the Court premises, the suspect had already left the premises amidst the commotion that followed the situation, whereas the Police were managing ensuring the security of the Magistrate, preventing any escapes of other suspects within the Court premises, and several more procedures.

However, the Police Spokesman had mentioned that further investigations are carried out by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) with the assistance of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The suspected shooter in the killing of ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ is also believed to be the same gunman responsible for the recent double murder at Watarappala, Dehiwala.

Furthermore, it has been revealed that the woman who had brought the weapon used in the shooting is a suspected drug dealer from Negombo.

Police Spokesperson SSP Manatunga stated that in addition to prison officials, 12 STF personnel had been deployed to provide security to ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ when he was brought to the Aluthkade Court Complex from the Boossa Prison. 

In a related development, the Government yesterday vowed to crack down on the underworld after the Aluthkade Court shooting.

Speaking in Parliament, Chief Government Whip Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa explained that while the Government has taken several measures to combat underworld criminal activities, not all of these actions can be disclosed in Parliament.

During the Parliamentary session, Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara stressed that an individual disguised as a lawyer had entered the Aluthkade Court Complex and carried out the shooting. He also noted that a separate shooting involving two children had taken place in Middeniya the previous night, which also claimed two lives including a child. “This is a major security issue for the country,” Jayasekara added.

In response, Minister Dr. Jayatissa, assured: “The Government is taking full responsibility to address underworld activities. Several measures are being implemented. It is true that the underworld, black money, and drug trafficking are involved in this matter. Some individuals involved are even outside Sri Lanka. The Government is actively intervening in this regard. The underworld will not be let go easily.”