Gang leader shot in court by a man concealed as a lawyer

A well -known gang leader died after being shot at the Sri Lanka Judicial Court of a weapon, hidden as a lawyer, police say.

Police claim that the gunman used a revolver that was smuggled in a carved book by a suspect by a woman who remains free.

The band leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samaratathne was accompanied in court to face the proceedings when he was shot. Police say he was suspected of many murder cases.

The shooting in the capital Colombo is among a series of killings through the rivalry of gangs that the authorities are condemned to collapse on the violence of the gang in the country.

The band’s leader, known as Ganemul Sandzhieva, has been in custody since his arrest in September 2023.

Police said he had been accompanied by the Court of Justice on Wednesday by a dozen police officers. He was taken to the hospital after being shot, but was declared dead on his arrival.

The shooter managed to escape from the scene, but later was captured by police. It was identified differently by authorities and local media, but police claims to have used several names.

Police have identified the suspect woman as a 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi.

Authorities have released a notification promising monetary compensation for anyone providing information about the woman. Police say they also arrested a police officer, and Van the driver suspected he had helped the two suspects in the shooting.

The legislators discussed Reining in the violence of the band in parliament on Wednesday, with the opposition MP called it a “major security issue”.

The Minister of Health and the Mass Media Facility, Izdan Jayatiza, which in December, committed to breaking into such criminal activity, said the government would “take the actions of organized bands from the underworld on Wednesday.”

The incident also raised questions about security at the Court of Justice, with authorities being currently reviewing security measures.

As a result of the firing, new security protocols are applied, including the deployment of armed guards when certain people are tried. Army security staff is usually not allowed in court, said Justice Minister Harsana Nanaakkara on Thursday.

At least nine people have died this year According to the AFP, from the firing accused of the band’s rivalry, citing police.