Fugitive Ishara Sewwandi and Five Others Extradited to Sri Lanka Following Covert International Operation

In a major victory against organized crime, Sri Lanka Police has successfully extradited Ishara Sewwandi, the prime suspect in the high profile courtroom murder of underworld figure 'Ganemulla Sanjeewa,' along with five other suspected gang members. The arrests were the culmination of an intensive international covert operation led by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), working in close coordination with Nepalese law enforcement and other international agencies.

Police Spokesperson, ASP F. U. Wootler, confirmed the successful operation, noting that Sewwandi was apprehended in a safehouse in Nepal. The arrest was achieved following digital intelligence and collaboration after a Red Notice had been issued against her by Interpol at the request of the Sri Lanka Police. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had directly intervened to initiate the specialised team that was dispatched to Kathmandu.

Sewwandi is accused of playing a critical role in the assassination of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias 'Ganemulla Sanjeewa,' who was fatally shot inside Courtroom No. 5 at the Hulftsdorp Magistrate's Court complex on February 19, 2025. Investigations revealed Sewwandi, a 26 year old, allegedly entered the court complex disguised as a lawyer to smuggle the firearm used by the shooter. She reportedly fled the country shortly after the incident, spending time in hiding in locations like Mathugama and Middeniya before escaping to India by sea and then travelling overland to Nepal.

According to a senior CID officer, the suspect's identity was verified with 100% accuracy upon her return to the island using facial recognition technology. The six arrested individuals, who are reportedly members of the notorious gang led by 'Kehelbaddara Padme', who himself was arrested in Indonesia earlier this year, have been handed over to various divisions, including the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), for extensive interrogation. Police sources indicate that the questioning has already revealed several key details related to the murder and Sewwandi's activities as a fugitive, including that she spent millions of rupees on her escape and that an earlier attempt to assassinate Sanjeewa at the Gampaha Court had failed. The successful extradition marks a significant step in the government's sustained effort to combat transnational organized crime, as the Police continue to pursue all individuals on the 40+ Red Notices issued for fugitives hiding overseas.

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