The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for nine Fundamental Rights petitions challenging the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Inspector General of Police (IGP). The five-judge bench, comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Yasantha Kodagoda, A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Shiran Goonaratne, and Achala Wengappuli, has set the hearings for May 6, 7, and 8.
Previously, the Supreme Court had issued an interim order preventing Tennakoon from exercising the powers and responsibilities of the IGP until the final determination of the petitions. The order was issued after granting leave to proceed with the petitions filed by several individuals, including Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Prof. Savithri Gunasekara, and former MP Hirunika Premachandra.
The court’s three-judge bench, consisting of Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Mahinda Samayawardhena, stated that the petitioners had presented a strong prima facie case suggesting that Tennakoon’s appointment may be unconstitutional. The court also noted that the President could consider appointing an acting IGP during the interim order period.
Nine FR Petitions Against The Appointment As The IGP
On July 24, the Supreme Court reviewed the Fundamental Rights petitions against Tennakoon’s appointment and decided on the admissibility of the cases for hearing. The petitions, filed by multiple individuals and organizations, argued that Tennakoon had failed in his duties as Western Province’s Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) during the 2019 Easter attacks and the violent crackdown on the “GotaGoGama” protest at Galle Face Green.
The petitioners contended that the position of IGP should be held by someone who upholds human rights and fulfills their duties responsibly. They also alleged that the Constitutional Council had not properly authorized Tennakoon’s appointment and requested the Supreme Court to declare it null and void.
Respondents in the case include the Attorney General, IGP Tennakoon, the Speaker of Parliament, members of the Constitutional Council, and several other officials
