A notorious gang leader, Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, was shot and killed inside a Colombo courthouse on Wednesday by a gunman disguised as a lawyer, in an attack that has deepened concerns over Sri Lanka’s escalating gang violence.

According to police, the shooter used a revolver smuggled into the courtroom inside a hollowed-out book, brought in by a female accomplice who remains at large.

Samararathne, popularly known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, had been in police custody since his September 2023 arrest and was facing multiple murder charges.

He was shot while being escorted by a dozen police officers and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The gunman initially escaped but was later captured by authorities. Police have not yet confirmed his exact identity, as he was found using multiple aliases.

Meanwhile, the female suspect has been identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi.

Authorities have announced a monetary reward for information leading to her capture and have arrested a policeman and a van driver suspected of assisting the attackers.

The assassination has sparked renewed debates on gang violence in Sri Lanka’s parliament.

An opposition MP labeled it a “major security issue,” while Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cracking down on organized crime.

In response to the security lapse, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara announced immediate changes to courthouse security protocols, including:

• Deploying armed guards when high-risk individuals are brought to court
• Lifting restrictions that previously banned armed personnel in courtrooms

This latest courtroom execution adds to a surge in gang-related killings across Sri Lanka.

According to police data cited by AFP, at least nine people have been killed in similar shootings this year.

Authorities have vowed to intensify efforts to curb gang activity, as concerns mount over Sri Lanka’s worsening security crisis.