In a significant development, 115 Members of Parliament have signed a motion calling for the removal of the imprisoned Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from office. The motion, initiated by the National People’s Power (NPP), was officially handed over to the Speaker of Parliament this afternoon (March 25).
The move comes as Deshabandu Tennakoon remains in remand custody until April 3rd, following serious criminal charges. A warrant had been issued for his arrest in connection with a shooting incident that took place near the W 15 hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama in 2023. The shooting left several individuals injured, sparking public outrage and demands for justice.
Tennakoon was declared a fugitive after evading authorities for 20 days. He eventually surrendered to court on March 19th, following intense pressure from law enforcement and the public. His arrest has led to widespread debate over accountability and integrity within Sri Lanka’s police service.
Deshabandu Tennakoon, once considered a rising figure in the police force, had a controversial career marked by several allegations of abuse of power and political bias. His appointment as IGP was heavily criticized by human rights organizations and opposition parties, who accused him of failing to uphold the rule of law and suppressing peaceful protests in the past.
The NPP and several other opposition parties argue that allowing a person under serious criminal charges to remain in the country’s highest police position severely undermines public trust in law enforcement. They demand immediate action to remove him from office and restore the credibility of the police service.
The Speaker of Parliament is expected to review the motion and take necessary steps in the coming days. Meanwhile, legal proceedings against Tennakoon continue, and the nation awaits further developments in a case that has gripped the attention of the public and raised fresh concerns about justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
