Did police negligence contribute to Ganemulla Sanjeewa’s death? A shocking video raises serious concerns over law enforcement’s inaction. Read more!
A disturbing video from the Hulftsdorp courtroom shooting is making waves across social media, sparking outrage and raising critical questions about the role of law enforcement. The footage, captured in the immediate aftermath of the attack, shows underworld figure Ganemulla Sanjeewa lying motionless on the floor of the witness box with a gunshot wound to his chest. However, what is even more shocking is the response—or lack thereof—by the police and security personnel present at the scene.
Police Inaction: A Matter of Life and Death?
As the video circulates widely, the most alarming aspect remains the inaction of security personnel. Multiple officers and security staff can be seen standing by, discussing the situation, yet making no visible effort to assist the critically wounded Sanjeewa. Instead of rushing him to medical care, they appear hesitant, leaving many questioning whether their inaction contributed to his death.
“There’s nobody to see if this man is alive—he was breathing. But no one is checking,” a voice in the video states, highlighting the absence of basic emergency care. Such statements have fueled a debate on the accountability of law enforcement when it comes to life-saving measures.
Delay in Medical Assistance: Could It Have Saved a Life?
Ganemulla Sanjeewa was eventually transported to the National Hospital in Colombo, where he was pronounced dead. However, it remains unclear how long it took to transport him or whether he was still alive during transit. This uncertainty has only added to the public frustration and calls for an investigation into the handling of the incident.
Lack of Emergency Facilities in Court Complexes
One glaring issue highlighted by this tragedy is the lack of basic emergency medical infrastructure in Sri Lankan court complexes. A social media user pointed out, “It’s 2025, and Sri Lankan courts don’t even have a medical center, a stretcher, or an ambulance on standby. The police have zero basic medical training, while even supermarkets in other countries have AEDs on standby. Ridiculous.”
This critique brings attention to the failure of institutions to provide essential life-saving equipment in high-risk locations such as courtrooms, where tensions often run high. The absence of trained personnel and medical resources has led to growing demands for immediate reforms in the country’s judicial and security system.
Security Lapses: How Did the Shooter Get Access?
Aside from the medical response, another burning question is how the shooter was able to carry out the attack inside a courtroom. Courtrooms are expected to have high-security measures in place to prevent such incidents, yet a fatal shooting occurred in broad daylight. This raises serious concerns about lapses in security protocols, potentially allowing criminals to exploit weaknesses within the system.
Sri Lankan authorities are now under pressure to review and tighten security at judicial institutions. Ensuring thorough screening procedures, metal detectors, and trained security personnel could prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Public Outrage and Demand for Answers
The lack of immediate medical attention and the failure to prevent the shooting have fueled public anger. Many are demanding transparency from law enforcement and government authorities regarding what truly happened that morning.
Human rights activists have also weighed in on the matter, arguing that the police’s failure to act swiftly constitutes negligence. “A person’s right to life is fundamental. If law enforcement fails to protect that, then who will?” questioned a legal expert.
Government Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Sri Lankan government has acknowledged the incident and assured the public that a full investigation will be conducted. The authorities have pledged to review security policies at court complexes and address any shortcomings that may have contributed to the tragedy.
A senior police official stated, “We are currently analyzing all available footage and testimonies to understand the timeline of events. If there was any negligence on the part of the officers present, appropriate action will be taken.”
Calls for Police Training and Emergency Preparedness
One major lesson from this incident is the dire need for police officers and security personnel to undergo medical training. In many developed nations, law enforcement officials are equipped with basic first-aid training and emergency response skills, ensuring that they can provide immediate assistance in life-threatening situations.
Experts have recommended implementing mandatory emergency response training for police officers across Sri Lanka. This training would include CPR, wound management, and handling emergency medical situations until professional medical help arrives.
Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
The death of Ganemulla Sanjeewa raises more questions than answers. Had emergency medical aid been available immediately, could his life have been saved? Had there been stricter security measures in place, could the shooting have been prevented altogether? These are the pressing concerns that the Sri Lankan government and law enforcement must address.
The incident serves as a wake-up call to ensure that future tragedies of this nature do not occur. Immediate policy changes, security overhauls, and emergency preparedness measures are necessary to restore public confidence in the country’s judicial and law enforcement systems.
The Hulftsdorp courtroom shooting has exposed deep flaws in Sri Lanka’s security and emergency response mechanisms. The video evidence has left the public questioning the competence of law enforcement and the judicial system’s preparedness for life-threatening situations. While investigations are ongoing, one thing is certain: urgent reforms are needed to prevent such incidents from recurring.
He was still breathing, No urgency to take him to hospital
Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne alias “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” allegedly had some life left in him after the shooting incident in court today, but there was no urgency to rush him to hospital.
People speaking inside the… pic.twitter.com/RGBW7gSQdn
— DailyMirror (@Dailymirror_SL) February 19, 2025