Fugitive Ishara Sewwandi Arrested in Nepal :Sri Lanka Moves to Repatriate Murder Suspect

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities are taking steps to repatriate Ishara Sewwandi, the prime suspect in the murder of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatna, also known as “Ganemulle Sanjeewa,” along with six other individuals who were arrested in Nepal.

The arrests were made during a coordinated special operation led by Inspector Gihan Chandima and Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in collaboration with Nepalese security forces.

The suspects were apprehended while residing in a multi-storey house located approximately 18 kilometers from Kathmandu.

Among those arrested alongside Sewwandi is Kennedy Bastian Pillai, also known as J.K. Bai, who is believed to have assisted her in fleeing the country following the murder.

Police confirmed that the group includes individuals from Gampaha and Nugegoda, as well as a couple from Jaffna.

The murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa occurred on February 19 at the No. 5 Colombo Chief Magistrate Court, where he was fatally shot.

Investigations revealed that the firearm used in the killing was allegedly provided by Ishara Sewwandi, who fled with the shooter immediately after the incident.

The suspected gunman, Samidu Dilshan, was arrested the following day.

Following the murder, a nationwide manhunt was launched to locate Sewwandi, involving the Colombo Crimes Division, Special Task Force, and other security agencies.

It was later discovered that she had escaped the country with the help of J.K. Bai.

In a separate but related development, five organized crime figures — Kehelbaddara Padme, Panadura Nilanga, Commando Salintha, Backhoe Saman, and Thambili Lahiru — were arrested in Indonesia on August 27. The arrests took place at a residential complex in the Ebon Jeruk area of West Jakarta.

The Indonesian operation was led by Assistant Superintendents of Police Rohan Olugala and Mahinda Jayasundara, who had been conducting a covert and challenging mission since August 23.

Their efforts culminated in the successful apprehension of the suspects, who are believed to be linked to organized criminal networks operating across borders.

Sri Lankan police are now working with international counterparts to expedite the repatriation of the suspects for further legal proceedings.