The Court of Appeal has ordered that notices be issued on a writ petition filed by businessman Shehan Gunasekara, son of Osman Gunasekara — also known as “Gampaha Osman” — seeking to prevent the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) from arresting him in connection with the murder of underworld figure “Ganemulla Sanjeewa.”
A bench comprising Court of Appeal Justices Shashi Mahendran and Adithya Patabendige directed that notices be served on the respondents named in the petition, including the Director of the CCD, requiring them to appear and make submissions on September 3.
Gunasekara, a resident of Yakkala, filed the petition through Attorney-at-Law Amila Kumara, naming several respondents including CCD Director Senior Superintendent of Police Indika Lokuhetti. In the petition, he stated that he is a businessman by profession and that his father had been arrested and detained under detention orders in connection with the investigation into the killing of “Ganemulla Sanjeewa.”
He said that on May 13 his residence was searched and two firearms were recovered, for which he had produced valid licences, but that certain media reports had falsely portrayed the weapons as being held illegally. He added that he had been instructed to appear before the CCD and had done so on several occasions, providing statements, during which he was questioned about whether he had maintained links with another figure, “Kehelbaddara Padme.”
“Ganemulla Sanjeewa” — real name Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne — was shot dead in February 2025 inside a courtroom at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court by an assailant disguised as a lawyer. Osman Gunasekara was arrested in May over his alleged role in supplying the firearm used in the killing and has since been held under detention orders.
