A gunman disguised as a lawyer entered a courtroom and shot dead a notorious gang leader.
The gang leader, Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, was killed at close range with a revolver smuggled into the courtroom in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in a hollowed-out book.
Sanjeewa, also often known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, was taken to hospital from the courtroom but died on arrival.
The gunman was on the run for a short time but was eventually captured and had been using various different names, in line with the BBC.
A 25-year-old woman, Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, was an accomplice of the gunman and snuck within the hollowed-out-book.
She remains to be on the run and authorities have promised people money for details about her.
A policeman and van driver have also been arrested on suspicion of helping the 2 suspects.
Sanjeewa was in court as a suspect in multiple murder cases and was escorted by a heavy armed escort.
He had been in custody since he was arrested in September 2023.
This incident has raised questions on security within the courthouse – with plans to have more armed guards when certain prisoners arrive at court.
Vindika Weerasinghe, a postgraduate scholar on the University of Colombo, told The Telegraph: ‘This incident highlights a transparent security lapse by the police answerable for guarding the suspect and securing the court premises. How did an armed assailant enter unchecked?
‘Blaming a disguise isn’t enough – every entrant must have been screened. Expecting the police to research their very own failure is just unacceptable.’
The news comes as authorities within the Sri Lankan capital pledge to crack down on gang violence.
Gang rivalry is answerable for nine shootings alone this yr,in line with police data.
The problem of gang violence was heard in parliament on Wednesday, with minister Nalinda Jayatissa saying the federal government would ‘take the actions of organised underworld gangs seriously’.
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