Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Lawyers for Truth and Justice organization, three victims of the Easter attack, and an activist has filed four fundamental rights petitions against Deshabandu Tennakon, seeking to prevent him from serving as the acting Inspector General of Police in the Supreme Court.
The petitions name the Attorney General, Legislative Council, and Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakon as respondents. The petitioners argue that Tennakon, who was the Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Western Province during the Easter bombings, neglected his duties. They also highlight instances during his tenure where protesters were reportedly brutally attacked.
The petitioners contend that appointing someone with a record contrary to upholding human rights to a position responsible for implementing the law violates the fundamental rights of the citizens. The Supreme Court will now consider these petitions, marking a legal challenge to Deshabandu Tennakon’s assumption of the role of Acting Inspector General of Police.
