• Harshana Nanayakkara says ensuring and strengthening judges, lawyers, citizens’ security being considered seriously, Watagala left speechless  
• Cabinet Spokesperson and CGW says all anti-org. crime measures cannot be disclosed in Parliament 
• Police commences body-checking of lawyers, judges exempted; to seek JSC approval to station armed officers inside courthouses
• BASL asks black-robed brethren to cooperate with enhanced security measures 

Emphasising that the Government takes the deadly shooting inside the Number Five Magistrate’s Court (MC) at the Aluthkade Courts Complex last morning (19) seriously, the Ministry of Justice stated that it would engage with the relevant stakeholders to ensure the security of judges, lawyers, and citizens.

Organised crime and drug trafficking suspect Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ was shot dead inside the Court by a person who entered the Courtroom under the guise of a lawyer.

During a visit to the Court premises following the incident, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara said that this is a very serious situation, and that they – the relevant authorities – are taking it seriously. 

“We brought him (Samararatne) from the Boossa Prison under strict security, as confirmed by the Prisons Department. Now, we have to discuss the matter with the judges and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and strengthen security measures,” he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Criminal activities, including murders, have occurred in this country before too, but it is our responsibility to address them. Regardless of who initiates such acts, we will take all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure the security of judges, lawyers, and citizens.” 

In response to a media query as to whether it is not the current Government that should take responsibility for the incident, regardless of past events, he said: “Yes, we accept responsibility, which is why I visited the site. We will take steps to ensure safety.”

Following the incident, media representatives questioned Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala about public safety and the Government’s response. When questioned about the incident, he said that investigations are underway. However, a journalist queried: “How can public safety be ensured when people are killed like this right inside a court?” Watagala, in response, said that all the relevant individuals have been identified and that steps are being taken to address the situation. Another journalist queried: “How can national security be ensured when a man is shot and killed in broad daylight in a courtroom?” Watagala appeared to be at a loss for words, struggling to answer the question. The media also asked if such incidents had occurred during Watagala's own time as a lawyer, to which he did not respond. Finally, when questioned as to whether the Government could still ensure the safety of the public given the severity of the incident, he refrained from replying.

Meanwhile, during yesterday’s Parliamentary session, Opposition Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara stressed that an individual disguised as a lawyer had entered the Aluthkade Court Complex and carried out the said shooting. He also noted that a separate shooting involving two children had taken place in Middeniya on Tuesday (18) night, which also claimed both their lives. “This is a major security issue for the country,” Jayasekara added.

Cabinet Spokesperson and Chief Government Whip (CGW) Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, expressing views in the Parliament, explained that while the Government has taken several measures to combat organised crime activities, not all of these actions can be disclosed in the Parliament. In response to Jayasekara, Dr. Jayatissa assured: “The Government is taking full responsibility to address organised criminal activities. Several measures are being implemented. It is true that organised crime, black money, and drug trafficking are involved in this matter. Some individuals involved are even outside Sri Lanka. The Government is actively intervening in this regard. The organised crime world will not be let off easily.”

Police Media Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manatunga also said that the Police would discuss with the relevant stakeholders such as the BASL and the JSC and initiate body-checking lawyers who enter court premises. 

“The judges will not be subjected to any check ups. However, the Police will start checking lawyers who enter courts.” he said in response to a query by The Daily Morning.

Plans to start checking lawyers in the coming days were also confirmed by Acting Inspector General of Police (Acting IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya who visited the Aluthkade Courts premises last afternoon. 

“Lawyers are not subjected to checking in court. This suspect has taken full advantage of that opportunity and has committed this crime. We are requesting the BASL to support us in this regard and to check every lawyer. At the same time, we are requesting that armed officers be deployed on duty inside the courthouse as well, and we will be taking steps to obtain the necessary approvals from the necessary authorities,” Acting IGP Weerasooriya added.

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has meanwhile requested its members to cooperate with the authorities in implementing enhanced security measures throughout courthouses. 

“Due to the shooting incident that took place inside a courtroom in the Colombo MC, there may be enhanced security measures imposed throughout all courthouses across the country. We request our members to cooperate with the authorities in carrying out these security measures for the safety of all, including our members. Presidents and Secretaries of all private and unofficial bar Branch Associations are requested to coordinate with the respective judges on these measures and to bring to the notice of the BASL any difficulties that may be encountered,” a communication issued to their members, which was shared with The Daily Morning by BASL Secretary, attorney Chathura Galhena, read.

Multiple attempts to contact Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara, and Public Security Ministry Secretary and former Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Seneviratne, were unsuccessful.