Two suspects allegedly linked to rival factions of underworld figures ‘Badowita Asanka’ and ‘Kos Malli’ were involved in a physical altercation inside the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court this afternoon (24).

The suspects have been identified as Karunaluge Srinath Priyashantha Fernando, who is allegedly affiliated with the ‘Badowita Asanka’ faction, and Madhushka Renuka Fernando, who is allegedly affiliated with the ‘Kos Malli’ faction.

Srinath is reportedly the rider of the motorcycle used by suspects who arrived at the scene of a shooting that killed a person on Siripala Road in Mount Lavinia in November 2025.

Meanwhile, the other suspect, Madhushka is accused of carrying out a hand grenade attack on a house in the Sirisangabo Road area of Dehiwala recently, in which two children were killed.

The altercation occurred while the two suspects had been brought to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court in connection with court proceedings relating to the respective cases.

It is reported that while Srinath, a member of ‘Badowita Asanka's faction, was held in the dock, Madushka from ‘Kos Malli's faction was brought and seated on a nearby detention bench awaiting the next case, officials said.

At that point, Srinath allegedly suddenly left the dock and launched several attacks on Madhushka. Prison and Police officers subsequently intervened and brought the altercation under control, officials said.

No injuries were reported in the incident, and the Mount Lavinia Police have commenced an investigation.

Meanwhile, Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Hemali Halpandeniya instructed Prison Officers to keep the two suspects separately in custody.