A infamous gang chief has died after he was shot inside a courthouse in Sri Lanka by a gunman disguised as a lawyer, say police.
Police say the gunman used a revolver which was smuggled in a hollowed-out e-book by a feminine suspect, who stays at massive.
Gang chief Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne had been escorted to courtroom to face proceedings when he was shot. Police say he was a suspect in a number of homicide circumstances.
The capturing within the capital Colombo is amongst a collection of killings by rivalling gangs, which has persevered as authorities vow to crack down on gang violence within the nation.
The gang chief, popularly often known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, had been in custody since he was arrested in September 2023.
Police mentioned he had been escorted to the courthouse on Wednesday by a dozen cops. He was rushed to the hospital after he was shot however was pronounced lifeless on arrival.
The gunman managed to flee the scene however was later captured by police. He has been recognized otherwise by authorities and native media, however police say that he used a number of names.
Police have recognized the feminine suspect as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi.
Authorities have put out a discover promising financial compensation for anybody offering info on the lady. Police say they’ve additionally arrested a policeman and van driver suspected of serving to the 2 suspects within the capturing.
Lawmakers mentioned reining in gang violence in parliament on Wednesday, with an opposition MP calling it a “main safety situation”.
Well being and mass media minister Nalinda Jayatissa, who in December had pledged to crack down on such legal exercise, mentioned on Wednesday that the federal government would “take the actions of organised underworld gangs significantly.”
The incident has additionally raised questions on safety within the courthouse, with authorities at present reviewing safety measures.
New safety protocols are being applied within the wake of the capturing, together with deploying armed guards when sure persons are delivered to courtroom. Armed safety personnel will not be usually allowed in courtroom, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara mentioned on Thursday.
At the least 9 individuals have died this yr in a spate of shootings blamed on gang rivalry, in keeping with AFP citing police information.
