Overview

• Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne, a notorious gang leader facing multiple murder charges, was killed at close range during a bail hearing in Colombo Magistrates Court.
• The gunman, disguised as a lawyer, used a revolver smuggled into the courtroom inside a hollowed-out book by a 25-year-old female accomplice, who is still at large.
• Authorities have arrested a policeman and a van driver suspected of aiding the gunman and his accomplice in the attack.
• The incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating gang violence in Sri Lanka, with nine gang-related shootings reported this year.
• Sri Lankan officials are implementing stricter courtroom security measures and pledging a stronger crackdown on organized crime following the attack.