Lawyer provided Bar ID, tie and vehicle pass to courthouse killer

The lawyer’s involvement was first revealed through a statement made by a suspect named Kehelbaddara Padme, who is currently in detention 

By Bhagya Silva  

A female lawyer residing in Kadawatha was arrested yesterday by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly aiding and abetting those involved in the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, who was shot dead in February 2025 at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court premises.  

Investigations have revealed that the firearm used in the murder had been handed over to the perpetrators by the suspect lawyer after keeping it inside a copy of the Code of Criminal Procedure book.  

It has further been uncovered that the lawyer had provided her national identity card to the shooter, who later used it as a sample to prepare a forged lawyer’s identity card.  

CID investigation revealed that upon comparing the identity cards of both the shooter and the suspect lawyer, it was found that the signatures on both cards were identical.  

In addition, the suspect lawyer had also given the official necktie issued by the Bar Association to the shooter to help him disguise himself as a lawyer. She had further arranged a vehicle pass issued for attorneys to make his impersonation more convincing.  

The lawyer’s involvement was first revealed through a statement made by a suspect named Kehelbaddara Padme, who is currently in detention. Subsequent questioning of another suspect, Ishara Sewwandi, also led to further evidence linking the lawyer to the crime.  

The suspect lawyer has been taken into CID custody and is being detained for 72 hours for further interrogation under a detention order.