Ishara Sewwandi, the woman named as the principal suspect in the killing of organised crime figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, has been remanded until August 21 after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Colombo Additional Magistrate Liyan Warushavithana issued the order after the suspect was brought to court by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), which had been holding her under detention orders. The CCD also submitted a report setting out the progress of its investigation before the order was made.
Ten months in detention
Sewwandi had been held and questioned by the CCD for close to ten months as part of the investigation into the killing, according to NewsFirst and Hiru. She was arrested in Nepal on October 14, 2025, where investigators said she had been in hiding, and was subsequently returned to Sri Lanka.
The Aluthkade shooting
“Ganemulla Sanjeewa” — whose given name was Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne — was shot dead on 19 February 2025 inside the No. 5 courtroom of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court in the Aluthkade complex, by an assailant disguised as an attorney, while he was being produced before the court. The killing was one of the most serious security breaches recorded inside a Sri Lankan court complex.
Investigators allege the firearm used in the shooting was carried into the court premises by Sewwandi.
Several other people have been taken into custody over the case since. They include an attorney remanded under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, a Gampaha businessman accused of supplying the weapons, and an associate arrested in India and repatriated. Police have said the killing was coordinated with organised crime figures operating overseas.
Sources: Ada Derana, NewsFirst, Hiru News.
