A infamous gang chief in Sri Lanka was shot useless Wednesday inside a courthouse by a gunman disguised as a lawyer, the BBC reported. Gang chief Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, a suspect in a number of homicide circumstances, was delivered to courtroom beneath a heavy armed escort by commandos from the elite Particular Activity Power. He was shot at shut vary as he entered the dock in a bail listening to on the Colombo Magistrates Court docket, police stated in an announcement. He was taken to hospital after he was shot however was pronounced useless on arrival.
The gang chief, popularly often called Ganemulle Sanjeewa, had been in custody since he was arrested in September 2023, as per the outlet. Police stated that the gunman used a revolver which was smuggled in a hollowed-out e-book by a feminine suspect. He managed to flee the scene however was later captured by police. Cops have recognized the feminine suspect as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi.
Officers have reportedly put out a discover promising a reward for anybody offering info on the girl. Police have additionally arrested a policeman and van driver suspected of serving to the 2 suspects within the taking pictures.
Notably, the newest incident is amongst a sequence of killings by rival gangs. No less than 9 folks have died this 12 months in a spate of shootings blamed on gang rivalry, as per the BBC. Amid this, authorities have vowed to crack down on gang violence within the nation. The incident has additionally raised questions on safety within the courthouse, with authorities at present reviewing safety measures.
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On Wednesday, lawmakers additionally mentioned reining in gang violence in parliament, with an opposition MP calling it a “main safety concern”. Well being and mass media minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who in December had pledged to crack down on such prison exercise, stated on Wednesday that the federal government would “take the actions of organised underworld gangs severely”.
Furthermore, new safety protocols are being carried out within the wake of the taking pictures, together with deploying armed guards when sure individuals are delivered to courtroom.