May 20, Colombo (LNW): The committee appointed to investigate allegations of serious misconduct against Sri Lanka’s suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has decided to proceed with its inquiry, dismissing all preliminary objections raised by the defence.
According to the Parliamentary Communications Department, the inquiry committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake—who also chairs the National Police Commission—convened at Parliament yesterday (19).
This marked the first appearance of IGP Tennakoon before the committee since the inquiry was announced.
During the hearing, the committee officially presented Tennakoon with a charge sheet listing 23 separate allegations, all reportedly centred on gross abuse of authority during his time in office.
The charges are believed to pertain to his conduct in politically sensitive policing matters and alleged misuse of power, though the full contents of the charge sheet remain confidential.
Tennakoon was represented by Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama, who submitted three preliminary objections and two formal requests to the committee in an attempt to challenge the legitimacy or procedural fairness of the inquiry.
However, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General’s Department, raised strong objections to the defence’s submissions, arguing that the inquiry was both lawful and essential given the gravity of the allegations.
After reviewing the arguments, the committee unanimously dismissed all objections, stating that the matter warranted a full and uninterrupted investigation.
The next hearing has been scheduled for 28 May at 2.00 p.m., during which further examination of the charges and evidence is expected to take place.
