A gunman poses as a lawyer and murders a well-known gang leader in Sri Lanka in court

A shooter posing as a lawyer killed a Sri Lankan gang leader in court.

A shooter posing as a lawyer shot and killed Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, a well-known gang leader, inside a courthouse in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Concerns about the country’s rising gang violence have been heightened by the Wednesday attack.

Police say the shooter used a pistol that a female accomplice, who is still at large, sneaked into the courtroom inside a hollowed-out book. The gang boss, also known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, was accused of several murders and had been detained by the police since his capture in September 2023. As he arrived at the hospital, he was declared dead after being shot while being accompanied by a dozen police officers.

After initially escaping, the gunman was apprehended by law enforcement. Although his precise identity is still unknown, police have identified him under a number of names. Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, 25, has been identified as the female suspect. A cash reward has been offered by the authorities for information that results in her apprehension. A police officer and a van driver who were suspected of assisting the suspects have also been taken into custody.

An opposition MP has referred to gang violence as a “major security issue,” sparking fresh debates on the topic in Sri Lanka’s parliament. The government’s commitment to combating organized crime was reaffirmed by Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who had earlier promised to crack down on criminal networks.

Concerns about courthouse security have also been raised by the occurrence, prompting quick adjustments to the protocol. On Thursday, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara declared that new security measures are being put into place, such as the use of armed guards while bringing dangerous people to court. Previously, courtrooms were off-limits to armed staff.

According to police data provided by AFP, at least nine individuals have been reported killed in similar shootings this year, and this most recent homicide adds to the escalating wave of gang-related violence in Sri Lanka. To stop gang violence and stop such attacks, authorities have promised to step up their operations.