The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has allowed the Colombo Crimes Division to record a statement from Ishara Sewwandi, the principal suspect in the killing of organised crime figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, at the prison where she is being held.
Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama issued the order on a motion filed by the Colombo Crimes Division, Hiru News reported. Investigating officers told the court that questioning the suspect was essential to the continuing homicide investigation.
The court permitted officers to visit Angunukolapelessa Prison on the 2nd to record the statement, and directed the Superintendent of Prisons to make the necessary arrangements. Hiru News rendered the victim’s name as “Ganemulla Sanjeeva”; LankaNewz has used the spelling carried in earlier reporting on the case.
A suspect now held in the deep south
Sewwandi was remanded until 21 August after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 10 August, following close to ten months in Colombo Crimes Division custody under detention orders. She was arrested in Nepal on 14 October 2025, where investigators said she had been hiding, and returned to Sri Lanka.
Angunukolapelessa Prison is in the Hambantota district, roughly 200 kilometres from Colombo — which is why detectives needed a court order to reach her rather than producing her in the capital. Neither the reason for the transfer nor the outcome of the 21 August remand hearing was reported.
The Aluthkade shooting
“Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, whose given name was Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, was shot dead on 19 February 2025 inside courtroom No. 5 of the Colombo Magistrate’s Court at Aluthkade, by an assailant disguised as an attorney, as he was being produced before the court. It was one of the most serious security breaches recorded inside a Sri Lankan court complex.
Investigators allege Sewwandi carried the firearm used in the shooting into the court premises. Others taken into custody over the case 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.
No other verified newsroom had filed the statement order at the time of writing.
