April 10, Colombo (LNW): Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently under suspension, has been released on bail following his appearance before the Matara Magistrate’s Court.
The high-profile figure, embroiled in an ongoing legal investigation related to a shooting in southern Sri Lanka, was granted bail today (10) under two personal sureties valued at Rs. 1 million each.
His release follows a brief remand period that began after he surrendered to authorities on March 19, having evaded arrest for nearly three weeks. The surrender was initiated through a formal legal motion submitted to the court, a move that came shortly after a warrant was issued in connection with a shooting near a coastal hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara.
The incident, which occurred on the final day of 2023, has since triggered significant controversy and public concern, particularly as it implicates several senior police personnel.
The shooting, which reportedly took place outside the W15 Hotel, prompted the Matara Magistrate’s Court to order the arrest of eight police officers, including former members of the Colombo Crimes Division and the then-Inspector General himself.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was tasked with executing the arrests and presenting the accused before the judiciary.
Efforts by the former police chief to halt his arrest via judicial channels proved unsuccessful. A writ petition seeking a court injunction against the arrest order was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on March 17.
The appellate judges instead reinforced the original directive, instructing the CID to proceed without delay in apprehending the former official.
In parallel to the judicial developments, Parliament has initiated its own proceedings against the former Inspector General. A resolution to form a special committee to investigate his conduct was passed earlier this week.
The motion aims to examine accusations of professional misconduct and alleged abuses of authority during his tenure, with the stated goal of determining whether he should be formally removed from office.
