Ishara Sewwandi, the key suspect in the murder of underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa, has revealed chilling details of her three-month escape across multiple countries before her recent arrest in Nepal.
During interrogation, Sewwandi told investigators that she first went into hiding in several locations across Sri Lanka, including Mathugama and Middeniya, before fleeing to India by boat from Jaffna just days after the killing. She claimed to have spent nearly three weeks in India before traveling to Kathmandu, Nepal, where she later reunited with several underworld figures — including Gampaha Baba, J.K. Bhai, and Jambugas Mulle Babee.
According to Sewwandi, she was assisted by a man identified as Jaffna Suresh Thakshi in escaping to Nepal. Once there, the group reportedly split up after learning that five other suspects, including Kehelbaddara Padme, had been arrested in Indonesia.
Investigators say Sewwandi also confessed to her involvement in facilitating the murder weapon used in the assassination of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, explaining that she handed over the firearm to the shooter because of her close ties with Kehelbaddara Padme, without accepting any payment. She also disclosed that an earlier assassination attempt at the Gampaha Court premises had failed.
Sewwandi and five others were arrested in Nepal and brought back to Sri Lanka last night following a joint operation between the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Nepalese security forces, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala and Inspector Gihan Chandima.
A senior CID officer confirmed that the suspects — Ishara Sewwandi, J.K. Bhai, Suresh, and Thakshi — have been handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division for further investigation. Gampaha Baba was placed under the custody of the Peliyagoda Crimes Division, while Jambugas Mulle Babee was transferred to the Western Province South Crimes Division.
CID sources further confirmed that Sewwandi’s identity was verified with 100% accuracy through facial recognition technology upon her return to Sri Lanka.
