Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennekoon was instrumental in obstructing the Police officers trying to prevent an imminent attack on the Galle Face protestors by the pro-Mahinda Rajapaksa hooligans. Police officers have complained.
The DIG in question has misled the Inspector General of Police and rejected all proposals brought by senior police officers to control the situation in the event an untoward incident took place. Senior Police officers say.
Several Police officers told Lanka Sara that they would give evidence against the person without any hesitation at an inquiry to ascertain who failed to take appropriate measures to avert the attack.
At an initial discussion held, senior Police officers have pointed out that over 6000 members representing provincial Councils, Pradeshiya Sabahs and municipal councils were planning to attend the meeting at the Temple Trees. The participants would walk via the liberty circus and Galle road to the President’s office through the areas where the protestors have put up their shelters and suggested taking appropriate action to prevent attacks and clashes between the two groups. The Senior DIG responding to the senior Police officers has asserted that he was not anticipating anything untoward.
When the actual clashes took place, the Police were eager to use water cannons and tear gas on the perpetrators. However, the Senior DIG was not in favour. Police officers said
Eventually, when the situation became uncontrollable, he directed the Police to use tear gas and water cannons, not against the hooligans but the peaceful protestors.
If the Police had stepped in at the right time, a trail of destruction spread through the country could have been avoided, Senior Police officers told LankaS
