July 26, Colombo (LNW): Tensions arose in Parliament following the declaration of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asserting the legitimacy of the appointment of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, against whom an interim injunction order by the Supreme Court is now in rule.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling, the government went on asserting that the appointment of the IGP is legitimate and therefore, valid, sparking controversy in what the Opposition described as contempt of court.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe to resign if he fails to appoint an Acting IGP as mandated by the Supreme Court.
Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa insisted that the President must honour the Court’s order and fulfil his duty to appoint an Acting IGP.
He criticised the President for attempting to evade this responsibility, asserting that the role of President entails upholding constitutional obligations regardless of candidacy status.
Premadasa argued that if the President is unable to meet this requirement, he should step down to allow the Acting President to assume lawful duties.
