April 03, Colombo (LNW): Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has been ordered to remain in remand custody until April 10 following a ruling by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.
His continued detention is linked to the high-profile shooting incident that took place near the W15 Hotel in Weligama’s Pelena area on December 31, 2023.
Tennakoon had been evading arrest for nearly three weeks before surrendering to the court on 19 March by filing a motion. His arrest was initially ordered alongside eight other police officers, including former members of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), all of whom have been named as suspects in the case.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was subsequently tasked with apprehending and presenting the individuals before the court.
The legal battle intensified when Tennakoon attempted to challenge the arrest order through a writ petition filed at the Court of Appeal. However, on March 17, the court dismissed his request for an interim injunction, paving the way for law enforcement to take him into custody.
The Court of Appeal further directed the CID to expedite his arrest and ensure his court appearance.
Meanwhile, political pressure on Tennakoon is mounting, as a motion submitted by a group of MPs seeking his removal from the position of IGP is set to be debated in Parliament on April 08.
