After eight months on the run, Ishara Sewwandi, accused of aiding the assassination of crime boss Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside a Colombo court, has been captured in a joint operation by Nepal Police and Sri Lankan authorities.
In a major breakthrough in one of Sri Lanka’s most high-profile criminal cases, fugitive suspect Ishara Sewwandi has been arrested in Nepal. The arrest comes eight months after she was accused of aiding the assassination of organized crime leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, also known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa, inside the Aluthkade court complex in Colombo.
According to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, Sewwandi was taken into custody in Nepal during a joint operation between the Nepal Police, Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). Five other individuals were also detained alongside her during the raid.
“This arrest was the result of coordinated intelligence and planning. Officers from the CID and the Colombo Crimes Division traveled to Nepal four days ago and worked with the Nepal Police to apprehend the suspects,” Minister Wijepala announced.
Ganemulla Sanjeewa, a notorious underworld figure, was shot dead by a gunman disguised as a lawyer inside the Colombo court premises. Investigations later revealed that the firearm used in the killing had been concealed inside a book and delivered to the shooter by Ishara Sewwandi. Police allege that her role in smuggling the weapon directly facilitated the brazen assassination, which sent shockwaves across the country and exposed security lapses inside one of Sri Lanka’s most secure court complexes.
Police Media Spokesperson ASP Ude Kumara Wutler confirmed that efforts are ongoing to verify details from the Nepal Police and finalize extradition procedures. “We are in contact with Nepalese authorities to confirm the information officially. The arrests were made in line with ongoing cross-border investigations,” he said.
A nationwide manhunt was launched for Sewwandi following the murder, with raids conducted at multiple suspected hideouts. Despite these efforts, she managed to evade capture for months, raising concerns about the ability of law enforcement to track high-profile fugitives. Her arrest in Nepal marks the end of a long pursuit that stretched across borders and highlighted the increasing international dimension of Sri Lanka’s organized crime networks.
The brazen murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa remains one of the most shocking underworld crimes in recent years. Known for his influence within Colombo’s criminal underworld, Sanjeewa had been facing multiple charges and was appearing in court when he was killed. The incident not only exposed the reach of rival gangs but also raised alarm over the infiltration of weapons into a heavily guarded legal environment.
With Sewwandi now in custody, authorities expect fresh leads in unraveling the conspiracy behind the assassination. Her testimony and evidence from the others arrested in Nepal could shed light on the masterminds and financiers behind the plot.
Minister Wijepala stressed that Sri Lanka remains committed to dismantling organized crime networks and ensuring accountability for high-profile crimes. “This arrest is a clear message that no fugitive can escape justice, no matter where they hide,” he said.
As legal proceedings unfold, Sri Lankan law enforcement will be under pressure to prevent further lapses and restore confidence in the justice system’s ability to protect both the public and the courts from underworld violence.
