Sri Lanka Police have arrested Ousmand Gunasekera, alias “Gampaha Ousmand,” for allegedly aiding and abetting the killing of underworld figure ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, Ada Derana and NewsFirst reported on Thursday.
NewsFirst said the suspect was arrested in the Sri Bodhi Road area of Gampaha by the Colombo Crimes Division based on information uncovered during ongoing investigations, and that he has been detained for 72 hours of questioning.
A foreign-manufactured repeater shotgun, two magazines and 10 rounds of ammunition were recovered during the arrest, according to police.
The ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ killing has spawned a long-running investigation that began with the arrest of an associate in India and has involved the Criminal Investigation Department and the Colombo Crimes Division. Court has previously allowed the CCD to record a statement from underworld figure ‘Dematagoda Chaminda’ over the case, and a female lawyer arrested in connection with the murder has been remanded.
Today’s arrest of “Gampaha Ousmand” extends the prosecution beyond the alleged shooter and immediate associates to include those accused of providing logistical and weapons support. Recovery of a foreign-manufactured repeater shotgun is consistent with the calibre of weaponry tied to the broader Ganemulla Sanjeewa case file, in which firearms suspected to have been used in the killing have previously been the subject of ballistics analysis.
Police did not disclose the location of the arrest or whether further suspects are being sought in connection with the firearm and ammunition recovered.
On 16 May, the Colombo Crimes Division obtained a 90-day detention order against Gunasekera — a 69-year-old resident of Gampaha — to continue questioning him beyond the initial 72-hour period, Ada Derana reported. Police said investigations have indicated that the killing was orchestrated in coordination with organised criminals operating overseas and that Gunasekera allegedly supplied the firearms used in the attack. ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ — whose given name is Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne — was shot dead inside the Colombo No. 05 Magistrate’s Court in the Aluthkade complex on 19 February 2025 by an assailant disguised as an attorney while he was being produced before the court.
