Cricket coach’s locker discovery triggers police probe into alleged T-56 rifle-linked murders

By Norman Palihawadane

Police are investigating to determine the number of individuals who may have been killed using a T-56 assault rifle discovered in the locker of a cricket coach at a prominent school in Wattala on Thursday.

The weapon, along with four magazines containing 125 live T-56 ammunitions and 18 bullets intended for 9 MM pistols, was recovered on the same day. This discovery followed the disclosure by the suspected cricket coach, informing the police about the weapon hidden in his locker within the school’s sports room.

The suspect was apprehended on Thursday morning for allegedly operating a narcotics network associated with a drug dealer named Lahiru, reportedly operating from Dubai. Both Lahiru and the accused cricket coach have ties to underworld figure Ganemulle Sanjeewa, also known as Malingamuwe Sanjeewa Kumara, a notorious member of an organized crime syndicate and an international drug trafficker currently under interrogation on a 90-day detention order.

The arrest of the cricket coach was facilitated by a tip-off received by Mahabage OIC CI Priyadarshana. According to information, the suspect had been managing money transfers and collections for various drug dealers associated with Ganemulle Sanjeewa. Sanjeewa was apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport on September 13, 2023, while returning from Katmandu, Nepal, using a forged passport. Following his arrest, Sanjeewa’s drug network was purportedly overseen by underworld member Lahiru from Dubai.

The police received intel that the cricket coach was carrying out operations on instructions from Lahiru. The police found a Police PT kit T-shirt in the suspect cricket coach’s locker room. Authorities are searching for a female associate of the suspect cricket coach for allegedly aiding and abetting him in various criminal activities. Sanjeewa, during his time abroad, reportedly coordinated multiple crimes with local underworld gangs.

According to insider information from police sources, there is information linking Sanjeeva to about 18 alleged murders. Investigations suggest that Sanjeewa left Sri Lanka illegally by boat from Mannar. Police suspect that the recovered T-56 rifle may have been used in murders and other crimes orchestrated under Sanjeewa’s directives.

The raid was conducted by a police team led by Mahabage OIC CI Priyadarshana under the supervision of SP Prasanna de Silva and under the guidance of Kelaniya Division SSP AJYB Krishantha and Western Province Northern Range DIG Rohan Premaratne.

The suspect cricket coach is expected to be brought before the courts. Police stated their intention to seek a 90-day detention order against him for further interrogation.