Sri Lanka has witnessed multiple violent incidents within its judicial system, with the recent killing of Ganemulle Sanjeewa in the Colombo Magistrate’s Court being just the latest in a series of courtroom assassinations. Despite these recurring tragedies, decision-makers and policymakers have failed to implement effective measures to prevent such incidents.
Infamous Wawulkele incident in Gampaha
One of the most infamous courtroom shootings occurred in the early 1990s during a trial at the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court. The suspended Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Weeragula Police Station, Sub-Inspector Dhammika, along with his father-in-law, was shot dead inside the courtroom. The attack was carried out by a well-known businessman from Gampaha, seeking revenge for the brutal torture and murder of his family members during the 1988–89 terror period. The Weeragula Police Station had been turned into a torture chamber, where Dhammika was accused of not only killing young men and women suspected of being JVP members but also committing heinous crimes against innocent civilians.
After the courtroom shooting, the businessman fled the country, first escaping to Thailand and later re-emerging in Japan. He was eventually brought back to Sri Lanka by the late Senior DIG Gamini Silva. However, when he was put on trial, he was ultimately acquitted.
Gampaha Businessman Under Sanjeewa’s Threat
Years later, Ganemulle Sanjeewa attempted to assassinate the same businessman who had killed the Weeragula OIC. However, Sanjeewa did not have a personal grudge against him; he acted under the influence of a politician who once controlled extortion operations in the Gampaha area.
Killing of Dhammika Amerasinghe
Courtroom violence continued throughout the years. In 1994, Chinthaka Amarasinghe, a notorious criminal standing trial at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court, was targeted by an underworld assassin. His life was saved by retired Prison Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake, who was armed at the time. The shooter was killed during the incident. Following Chinthaka’s death, his brother, Dhammika Amarasinghe, took over as a criminal kingpin but met a similar fate. On January 9, 2004, he was gunned down inside Hall No. 06 of the Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court by an assassin disguised as a lawyer.
In an unprecedented act of courtroom violence, a remote-controlled bomb was detonated inside the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court, targeting suspects in a high-profile murder case. The bomb, planted by an army commando using a toy car, killed several people and injured many others.
Another courtroom bombing occurred in 2005 at the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court, where a hand grenade explosion left one person dead and several others injured. The attack, orchestrated by a criminal named Nalin Suranga, allowed several prisoners to escape amidst the chaos.
Assassination attempt of Samayan
The cycle of violence did not end there. In 2015, underworld leader Samayan was nearly assassinated inside the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court as part of an ongoing gang rivalry. He survived with some injuries. A similar assassination attempt was reported at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court in 2017, where an attack on Gonakovile Roha was foiled when firearms smuggled into the courtroom were seized.
Even in recent years, the violence has persisted. On August 5, 2022, an underworld informant was shot at inside the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court. The attack was orchestrated by a cattle dealer’s henchman, who received the firearm from a woman inside the courtroom. Fortunately, the bullet missed its target.
These incidents highlight the alarming security lapses within Sri Lanka’s judicial system. Despite numerous attacks spanning decades, authorities have failed to implement robust measures to prevent violence within court premises. Without urgent reforms, the sanctity of the courtroom remains under threat, making justice itself a target of crime.
More on Sanjeewa’s incident
Three More Arrested in Connection with Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s Murder
