May 14, Colombo (LNW): Police investigating the high-profile killing of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne have arrested a man suspected of playing a key role in organising the assassination and supplying the weapons allegedly used in the attack.
The suspect, identified by authorities as Ousmand Gunasekara, alias ‘Gampaha Ousmand’, was taken into custody by officers attached to the Colombo Crime Division during a late-night operation carried out in the Gampaha area on Tuesday.
According to police, the arrest followed information uncovered during ongoing interrogations of several individuals already being detained in connection with the murder investigation.
Investigators believe the suspect maintained links with organised criminal networks operating from overseas and is alleged to have facilitated the plot by arranging firearms for the attackers. Detectives are now examining whether additional individuals connected to the conspiracy remain at large.
The killing of “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” shocked the country earlier this year after he was gunned down inside the Aluthkade Courts Complex while being escorted to proceedings at the Colombo No. 05 Magistrate’s Court. The gunman had reportedly entered the court premises disguised as a lawyer before opening fire in a carefully planned attack.
Police stated that officers recovered a foreign-made repeater shotgun, two ammunition magazines and several live rounds during the arrest operation. Authorities suspect the seized weapon may have links to broader criminal activity currently under investigation.
The suspect, a 69-year-old resident of Gampaha, is expected to be questioned further as detectives continue efforts to uncover the full network believed to be behind the assassination.
Security around court complexes and judicial institutions has reportedly been tightened in the aftermath of the incident, amid growing concerns over the influence of organised crime groups operating across the country.