A suspected top drug dealer was shot and killed inside a Sri Lankan courthouse on Wednesday by a gunman who had disguised himself as a lawyer, police confirmed.
The victim, Ganemulle Sanjeeva, was attacked at close range as he entered the dock for a bail hearing at the Colombo Magistrates Court, according to a police statement.
Attack Inside the Courtroom
Sanjeeva had arrived under heavy security, escorted by elite Special Task Force commandos. However, once inside the courthouse, prison guards took over his custody, and it was during this moment that the gunman opened fire.
The shooter managed to escape the scene, while the critically injured Sanjeeva was rushed to a hospital in a security vehicle, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Gunman Identified, Manhunt Underway
Authorities recovered a revolver used in the attack, and the suspect behind the shooting has already been identified, according to Deputy Public Security Minister Sunil Watagala.
“A search is under way,” Watagala told reporters outside the courthouse.
Spike in Gang-Related Violence
The killing comes amid a wave of violent shootings in Sri Lanka, which police attribute to rival gang disputes. According to official police data, nine people have been killed in similar incidents across the country this year.
Authorities are now investigating how an armed individual bypassed security checks inside the courtroom and whether the shooting was linked to ongoing gang rivalries.
