Police had received intelligence warning of an assassination attempt on alleged underworld figure and drug trafficker “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” when he was scheduled to appear before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court just a week before his fatal shooting at the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya revealed that based on this tip-off, authorities had arranged for a virtual court hearing instead of transporting him to court physically. However, this same level of precaution was not taken when Sanjeewa was brought to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, raising serious concerns about a failure in security measures.
Security Oversights Led to Deadly Attack
Despite the prior warning, authorities claim they had no intelligence regarding an imminent threat when Sanjeewa was presented at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. This has led to many unanswered questions about why security was not tightened, particularly given the high-profile nature of the prisoner and the previous threat assessment that necessitated virtual hearings. The fact that the gunman and his accomplice were able to disguise themselves as lawyers and smuggle a weapon into the court premises without being detected highlights significant lapses in security protocols.
Glaring Loopholes in Court Security
Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera, Executive Director of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP), pointed out alarming security flaws in the handling of the case. He emphasized that prisoners transferred to Boossa high-security prison are done so due to significant security risks, not just to prevent escape but also to protect them from assassination attempts. “There was clearly a breakdown in the security chain,” Mr. Perera noted.
Adding to the concerns, CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts indicate that after the shooting, the gunman managed to walk out through the court’s main gate before security forces sealed off the premises. “Given the presence of dozens of armed police, Special Task Force (STF) personnel, and prison officers, immediate measures should have been taken to prevent the suspects from escaping,” he stated.
Footage Shows Inaction Following Shooting
A video circulating online has fueled further public outrage, showing a large number of police, STF, and prison officers in the courtroom following the shooting, with little effort being made to rush Sanjeewa to the hospital. “Even though some may dismiss this as an attack on an underworld figure, it is the judicial system that must determine guilt and punishment. Such incidents erode public trust in law enforcement and justice,” Mr. Perera said.
Calls for Technological Advancements in Court Security
In the wake of this tragedy, legal experts and security analysts are urging authorities to implement stronger security measures in court premises. Mr. Perera stressed the need for technology-driven solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future. “There is still no scanner at the entrance of the Aluthkade Court Complex. A simple scanner could have detected the concealed revolver used in the attack.”
He also pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had prompted courts to adopt virtual hearings via Skype, reducing the need to physically transport high-risk prisoners. “Given that virtual court sessions have been used for suspects from Boossa high-security prison in the past, why wasn’t this technology utilized in Sanjeewa’s case?” he questioned.
A Need for Accountability and Reform
The failure to prevent the courtroom assassination of “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” despite prior warnings has raised critical concerns about security policies and accountability within law enforcement and judicial institutions. Investigations are underway to determine whether there was a lapse in judgment in physically producing Sanjeewa in court, but the damage has already been done.
Authorities must now take urgent steps to ensure such failures do not recur, reinforcing security protocols and implementing modern surveillance technology to protect the integrity of the judicial system.
