The infamous gang leader died after he was shot in the courtroom in Sri Lanka by the attacker disguised as a lawyer, police say.
Police say the attacker has used a revolver that has been smuggled in a discharged book by a suspect, which remains at large.
Sanjeew Gang leader Kumar Samararathne escorted the court to face the proceedings when he was shot. Police say he was a suspect in several homicide cases.
The shooting in the Colombo capital is one of a series of murders of rival gangs, which persisted as the authorities vow to extinguish gang violence in the country.
Gang leader, popularly known as Ganemulle Sanjeewa, has been in custody since he was arrested in September 2023.
Police said a dozen police officers watched him on Wednesday. He hurried to the hospital after being shot, but was declared dead upon arrival.
The gunshot managed to escape from the scene, but later the police captured him. Authorities and local media have identified him differently, but police say he used several names.
Police established a suspected as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewanda.
Authorities have published a notice of promising financial fee to anyone who provides information about a woman. Police say they also arrested a police officer and a van driver who suspected they had helped two suspects in shooting.
On Wednesday, MPs discussed the installation of gang violence in parliament, and the opposition MP called him a “main security problem.”
Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa, who in December has pledged to break such criminal activities, said on Wednesday that the Government would “take the organized gangs of the underworld” seriously. “
The incident also raised questions about safety in the courtroom, and the authorities are currently reviewing security measures.
New security protocols are carried out after the shooting, including arranging armed guards when certain people are taken to court. Armed security staff are usually not allowed in court, justice Minister Harshan Nanayakkara said on Thursday.
At least nine people died this year in a row Shoting blamed for Bandi’s rivalry, according to AFP, citing police information.
