The recent shooting incident at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court which had resulted in the death of a notorious under world gangster Sanjeewakumara alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa had led to an extensive investigation by the Defense Ministry.

The outcome of the investigation into the incident has revealed that the person who had gunned down the notorious criminal was very much within the Colombo Magistrate Court premises and a few yards away from the Judge’s bench. The murderer has been identified as a former Army Commando and he had deserted the Army a couple of years ago.

The murderer who has arrived at the crime scene dressed up like a lawyer in full black suit and even carrying a fat book in which he had hidden the pistol to get rid of his target. Since the murderer has been identified as a former commando attached to the Sri Lankan Army, the Defense Ministry has taken stringent measures to arrest the Army deserters and to get rid of their involvement with the underworld gangsters. The senior Defense forces Generals have their views of completely getting rid of the deserters who have their links with the underworld.

Even before the shooting incident at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, there were several unlawful incidents in which the involvements of Army deserters were found. Retired Army General Lakshman David who is currently domiciled in Canada hearing about the shooting incident at the Magistrate’s Court premises has mentioned that the Army personnel who had gone through a terrific experience living between life and death during the lengthy period of civil strife should be rehabilitated as well with proper psychological treatment.

The suggestion made by the veteran soldier General Lakshman David is praiseworthy and the Government should even give proper consideration to his suggestion. General Lakshman David citing the rehabilitation offered to the LTTE cadres who were surrendered to the Army and even nabbed by the Army soon after the end of the four decades of civil strife , had emphasized on the need of Army personnel even getting rehabilitated to come out from their traumatized mind frame.

Therefore since the menace of the gun totting Army deserters has come up in a big way and creating a fear psychosis among the peace loving and the law abiding citizens, Government has come forward to arrest all deserters from the Armed Forces in the Island. The Defense Secretary has ordered the law enforcement officials as well as the Armed forces to flex their muscles apprehend the Army deserters as well as those who closely associate with them.

Sri Lanka’s Defense Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) has issued orders for the immediate arrest of all those who had deserted from the Armed Forces. The deserters were not only found to be engaged in killings, they have also found to be engaged in robberies and various forms of intimidations. Terrifying details have been revealed by the Police Chief indicating that more than fifty (50) underworld gangsters are active in the country.

Therefore the directive has been issued by the Defense Secretary to roundup all deserters from the armed forces in response to a troubling increase in shooting incidents linked to former military personnel who have abandoned their posts.
During a press conference on February (22), Sri Lanka’s Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya disclosed details about organized crime in Sri Lanka. He has also pointed out that 58 organized criminal gangs and approximately 1,400 individuals are associated with these networks.

Acting IGP Weerasuriya stated, “We have identified 58 organized criminal gangs in Sri Lanka, with around 1,400 followers. These groups are categorized into primary and secondary organized gangs and their supporting groups.” He further explained that many of these gangs are operated by “godfathers” based abroad. “As a result of their overseas operations, we recorded 75 shooting incidents and 18 hacking murders in 2024. So far in 2025, there have been 17 shooting incidents and 5 hacking cases,” he added. The Acting IGP also highlighted the involvement of some police and military personnel in these criminal activities.

“We have identified and arrested two police officers, one soldier, seven army deserters, and one air force member for their direct or indirect involvement in these crimes,” he said. “We have received unwavering international support, resulting in the extradition of 19 criminals from foreign countries. We have issued 199 red notices, 90 blue notices, and 4 yellow notices for these criminals,” he stated.

He also mentioned that some criminals continue to
operate from within prisons.

The Acting IGP identified the Western and Southern Provinces as the most active regions for these criminal gangs. At the same press conference on Saturday (22). Ravi Senaviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs stated that recent incidents have created a highly volatile situation among organized crime gangs. “Their existence relies on illegal activities and support from certain corrupt political groups. As law enforcement tightens its grip, these gangs resort to various tactics to evade capture,” he added.