Colombo Courtroom Murder: Assassin Reveals Rs 15 Million Contract

COLOMBO (News 1st); The suspect arrested for assassinating  Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne also known as 'Ganemulle Sanjeewa' inside a Colombo Courtroom has told detectives that he was promised a payment of approximately 15 million rupees for the murder, of which he received 200,000 rupees.

During questioning, the suspect revealed that the remaining amount was promised to be paid in India.

The police suspect that the criminals Mununudinu Padmasiri, also known as Keselbaddera Padme, and Commando Salintha contracted the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa.

Ganemulle Sanjeewa was accused of the murder of Neville Padmasiri, Keselbaddera Padme's father, which occurred seven years ago in February.

Ganemulle Sanjeewa, also known as Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, was shot and killed on Wednesday (19) morning inside Courtroom No. 5 at the Aluthkade Magistrate's Court Complex in Colombo.

The suspect, who carried out the shooting, was arrested in the evening in Puttalam by officers of the Special Task Force.

According to the information revealed so far, the suspect purchased a white outfit from a clothing store in Nugegoda after the shooting.

He then changed into the white outfit and traveled to Kochchikade court premises in a three-wheeler. From there, he boarded a van and fled to Puttalam.

He was arrested around 4:30 PM the same day..

The suspect, identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kadnarachchi, also used the aliases Mohamed Asman Sherifdeen and Kodikara Kasun Prabath Nishshanka.

He had joined the military last year but deserted during basic training.

Later, he officially left the military service, as confirmed by the military spokesperson.

The police stated that the van used by the suspect to flee to Puttalam and its driver have also been taken into custody.

The shooter, who posed as a lawyer, is suspected of committing several previous murders.

On December 13th last year, he allegedly carried out a shooting at the house of Ranjith Kumara, also known as Konda Ranji, a suspected drug trafficker.

He is also known to reside in Dubai with his wife and children.

Meanwhile, the police are seeking public assistance to apprehend a woman who allegedly aided in the shooting.

The police media division announced that a cash reward would be offered to anyone providing information about the woman.

A constable from the Negombo Police Station was arrested today by the Colombo Crime Division on suspicion of communicating with the woman via phone.

Meanwhile, the relatives of Ganemulle Sanjeewa arrived at the Institute of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology this afternoon to claim his body.

Sri Lankan detectives informed the court that the suspect and driver involved in the murder of "Ganemulle Sanjeewa," a known gang member, have been detained by the Colombo Crimes Division for 72 hours for questioning, under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The suspect identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kadnarachchi from Maharagama, who allegedly carried out the shooting, and the driver, Mahesh Sampath Priyadarshana from Millaniya, who drove the getaway vehicle, have been named as suspects in the case.

Charges have been filed against the suspects, Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kadnarachchi from Maharagama, who allegedly carried out the shooting, and the driver, Mahesh Sampath Priyadarshana from Millaniya, who drove the getaway vehicle under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Firearms Ordinance.

Officers from the Colombo Crimes Division also informed that court that in addition to the two suspects currently in police custody, further investigations have been launched to apprehend other suspects, including a woman who allegedly assisted in the shooting.

Senior lawyer Ajith Pathirana and his legal team appeared in court on behalf of the suspects, requesting that the suspects not be taken to any location without court permission and that the lawyers be allowed to meet with the suspects.

The Chief Magistrate granted the lawyers' request, ordering the Colombo Crime Division not to move the suspects without court approval and to allow two lawyers to meet with them.

Meanwhile, security measures at the Hultsdorf court premises have been tightened following the incident yesterday.

A local inspection was conducted today at Colombo Court No. 5, where Ganemulle Sanjeewa was shot, and News 1st correspondents stated that a bullet fragment was found lodged in the witness box.

Additionally, a petition was submitted to the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today by the family of Mohamed Asam Sherifdeen, claiming injustice due to the public naming of another individual as the suspect in the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa.