Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala says the suspect arrested in connection to the shooting inside a Colombo Court Complex yesterday has been identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi.
Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Wijepala said the suspect is a resident of Maharagama and was arrested in Palaviya, Puttalam last evening. “This suspect has been found to be involved in several murders reported in the last two weeks,” he said.
When the arrest happened, Police Spokesman announced that the suspect named as Asman Sherifdeen (34) was arrested in Puttalam.
Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga addressing media last evening again, following the suspect’s arrest, said that the gunman had used several names.
“It is evident that the suspect was using several aliases, along with several identification cards. At first instance he has appeared as Mohammad Aslam Sherifdeen and later as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi,” Manatunga said.
The suspect who was using a lawyer’s identification document had also used the name Kodikarage Kasun Prabath Nissanka, Police said.
Speaking to Newswire, Minister Wijepala confirmed that the gunman has been identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi and had later used various aliases.
Meanwhile Public Security Minister further said that the driver of the van used by the gunman to flee to Puttalam has also been arrested, along with the vehicle. The minister said that investigations are underway to apprehend a woman said to be involved in aiding the shooting in which underworld kingpin Ganemulla Sanjeewa was killed.
Minister Wijepala informed Parliament that the incident was a result of continuous disputes between underworld gangs and did not cause any threats to national security or public safety.
“These are incidents that have been repeatedly occurring due to clashes related to underworld activities and organized criminals. Such incidents have been reported for a long time in this country. This isolated incident should not be considered a threat to national security,” he added.
The minister’s comments come in connection to the murder of underworld kingpin Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside a Colombo Court complex last morning.
A man disguised as a lawyer had opened fire at the victim while he had taken the witness stand related to a case regarding his remand. (Newswire)