Prisons Dept. says there was court order to physically produce ’’Ganemulla Sanjeewa’’ in court

The Department of Prisons claims that Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne alias "Ganemulla Sanjeewa" was produced before the Aluthkade Magistrate's Court today as there was a court order to physically produce him in court.

The Department issued the clarification amid claims that there was no court order to physically produce the deceased in court today. 

Prisons Spokesman Gamini B. Dissanayake said that Sanjeewa, who was being held at the Boossa High Security Prison, had 22 court cases pending against him. A court order had earlier been issued ordering him to be produced before the Aluthkade No. 9 Magistrate's Court today (19). He was also due to be produced before the Aluthkade No. 5 Magistrate's Court for two cases pending against him. 

Since he was a special category suspect, Sanjeewa was transported to the Aluthkade Magistrate's Court this morning from the Boossa Prison along the Southern Expressway under the custody of Prisons Department officers, with protection also being provided by officers from Prisons Department's Emergency Response Tactical Team and Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel. 

The suspect was shot inside the court room by a gunman near the accused dock and later died in hospital. 

The Prisons Spokesman added that an investigation into the incident has already been launched under the direction of an Assistant Superintendent of Prisons. Additionally, the Colombo Remand Prison has also launched an initial inquiry into the incident, he added.