Matara Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa has ordered legal action against individuals who aided and abetted suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon in evading arrest.
The decision follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal, which strongly condemned Tennakoon’s actions. On March 17, the court dismissed his writ petition seeking to prevent the execution of an arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court in connection with a 2023 shooting incident.
The court further directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take immediate steps to arrest Tennakoon and present him before the court.
Tennakoon is wanted over a 2023 shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama, which involved officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force. The incident resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another, with investigations pointing to Tennakoon’s alleged involvement.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on February 28, 2025, along with an international travel ban. Despite these measures, he evaded capture, prompting authorities to launch a joint special operation to apprehend him.
