Ishara Sewwandi, Key Suspect in Ganemulla Sanjeewa Murder, Arrested in Nepal

Ishara Sewwandi, the prime female suspect wanted in connection with the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, has been arrested in Nepal following an extensive investigation.
The arrest was made during a special joint operation carried out by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Western Province North Crimes Division, and Nepalese security authorities. Police confirmed that five other suspects were taken into custody along with Sewwandi in a location approximately 18 kilometres from Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital.
According to investigators, arrangements are now underway to expedite the extradition of Sewwandi and the other suspects to Sri Lanka for further questioning.
Police sources said Sewwandi fled the country shortly after allegedly aiding and abetting the killing of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, a notorious underworld leader and drug trafficker, who was shot dead inside the Hulftsdorp No. 05 Magistrate’s Court on February 19, 2025.
Her arrest comes in the wake of a series of coordinated international operations targeting organized criminal networks linked to the murder. Recently, Mandinu Padmasiri Perera (alias Kehelbaddara Padme), Nilanga Sampath Silva (alias Panadura Nilanga), and Salintha Madushan Perera (alias Commando Salintha) were arrested in Jakarta, Indonesia, through a joint effort by the Sri Lanka Police, Indonesian Police, and Interpol.
The trio, along with other associates, is currently being interrogated by the CID under 90 days detention order. Meanwhile, Lahiru Madusanka (alias Thambili Lahiru) and N.N. Prasanga (alias Backhoe Saman) are being held at the Colombo Harbour Police under the supervision of the Western Province North Crime Division.
During their questioning, investigators uncovered crucial information indicating that Sewwandi had escaped Sri Lanka with the assistance of the same network soon after the shooting. At the time of their arrest in Indonesia, the suspects were found in possession of 28 mobile phones, which have since been handed over to the Sri Lanka Police.
The CID has begun analyzing the recovered devices to trace call records and communications believed to be connected to the murder plot and other transnational criminal activities.