The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (04) that underworld figure Manoj Suranga Liyanage, also known as "Batuwatte Chamara,” had jointly planned and coordinated the murder of notorious underworld figure ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, along with fellow organised criminal ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’.
The CCD made these revelations when producing the suspect known as "Batuwatte Chamara” before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
‘Batuwatte Chamara’, an alleged organized criminal, was arrested in Azerbaijan and brought back to Sri Lanka on May 10, 2026.
This was the first time he had been produced before court after being held under detention orders.
Further investigations conducted while the suspect was being questioned under detention orders had revealed that 'Kehelbaddara Padme' had initially planned to send the gunman to the court disguised as a Buddhist monk to assassinate 'Ganemulla Sanjeewa'.
However, investigators informed the court that the original plan had been completely changed on the instructions of the defendent, who had directed that the gunman enter the court disguised as a lawyer instead.
Having considered the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that the suspect be remanded in custody until November 13, 2026.
