Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Lalith Patinayake has been acquitted of all charges against him, paving the way for his eligibility for the position of Inspector General of Police (IGP). The exoneration comes after a thorough investigation by a three-judge panel appointed by the National Police Commission.
The allegations against Senior DIG Patinayake were related to the Easter Sunday attack, where he was accused of failing to prevent the tragic incident. The investigation panel, however, found the charges baseless, with no concrete evidence to support the accusations.
The panel revealed that the preliminary investigation documents submitted by former Deputy Inspector General Mewan Silva were unsubstantiated, containing baseless rumors without legal validity. Moreover, it was disclosed that Mewan Silva had retired before signing the document, raising questions about its credibility.
The three-member tribunal, considering all the facts presented, declared Senior DIG Lalith Patinayake innocent, clearing him of all charges. The decision was communicated to the Acting Inspector General of Police, with a copy sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security.
