By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

Colombo Crime Division sources said that the assassin who gunned down underworld gangster Ganemulle Sanjeewa had made three calls abroad while fleeing to Kalpitiya after the killing.

The calls had been made to three Lankan underworld characters known as Kehelbaddara Pathme, Commando Salintha and Achintha living overseas, police said.

The suspect identified as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi, a resident of Maharagama, has told the investigators that he had carried out the contract killing for a fee of Rs 15 million. During the preparation period he had stayed at an inn in Kaduwela, where a forged Bar Association of Sri Lanka identity card was delivered by the contractors. The van used to escape from Colombo to Kalpitiya and his passage from there to India, too, had been arranged by them, CCD sources said.

When contacted for comment Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga said that the mobile phone of the suspect had been taken into police custody and investigators were analysing the call details extracted from it.

SSP Manatunga said that the gunman had used several names. “It is evident that the suspect was using several aliases, along with several identification cards. At first instance he has appeared as Mohammad Aslam Sherifdeen and later as Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga Kandanaarachchi,” Manatunga said, adding that the suspect who was using a lawyer’s identification document had also used the name Kodikarage Kasun Prabath Nissanka.

Meanwhile, Keselwatte police said the remains of Sanjeewa Kumara Saman Rathna alias Ganemulle Sanjeewa were lying at the police morgue. His wife is living in Sri Lanka.

The Police Headquarters yesterday sought public assistance to apprehend the woman who had assisted the murderer of Sanjeewa.

The woman involved in the murder has been identified as 25-year-old Pinpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, a resident of No 243/01, Negombo Road, Jaya Mawatha in Katuwellegama. Her NIC number (995892480V) and two pictures were released to the media by the police headquarters.

The Acting IGP has decided to provide a monetary reward for anyone who will help find the wanted woman.

Information about the wanted suspect can be conveyed to the police via the hotlines 071 – 8591727 or 071 – 8591735.