Deshabandu Fights Back Against Arrest Order, Claims Political Bias

by Zulfick Farzan 10-03-2025 | 5:32 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal today (10), seeking an interim order to suspend the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate's Court.

The petition was heard before the acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohamed Laffar Tahir, and Justice Sarath Disanayake.

Representing Tennakoon, President's Counsel Dr. Romesh de Silva, instructed by Attorney-at-Law Sanath Wijewardena, made submission in court.

Dr. de Silva argued that the arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate's Court in connection with a shooting incident at a hotel in Weligama in 2023 was unlawful.

He stated that the order was issued after a police officer died following the incident and after several pieces of evidence were recorded.

Dr. Romesh de Silva further argued that, according to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Magistrate did not have the authority to issue such an order and requested the court to declare it null and void.

The State Counsel, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, stated that they had not received any instructions regarding the petition.

Given the imminent threat of arrest, Dr. Romesh de Silva requested a short interim order to prevent Tennakoon's arrest.

Justice Tahir, addressing the court, stated:
"Only this morning did I receive the case file related to this matter. I am not yet aware of the details contained in this petition. Therefore, I believe it is appropriate to verify the facts after issuing notices to the respondents."

Dr. de Silva then requested the court to obtain an assurance from the respondents that Tennakoon would not be arrested.

Justice Tahir responded:
"The petitioner has been free from trouble for about a week. He will remain so."

The court then issued notices to the respondents and scheduled the petition for March 12 to verify the facts.

On December 31, 2023, a shooting occurred in front of the W15 Hotel in Weligama, resulting in the death of a police officer attached to the Colombo Crime Division.

The petitioner stated that the Weligama Police had conducted an investigation into the incident, which was later taken over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The petition emphasized that the investigation was influenced by the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, and former CID Director Shani Abeysekara.

Tennakoon's petition highlighted that the ongoing investigation was politically influenced, biased, and targeted against him.

The petition also noted that the arrest order was issued without recording a statement from Tennakoon, which was unlawful.

Tennakoon stated in his petition that he learned about the arrest order through the media.

The respondents named in the petition include Matara Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala, Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, and current CID Director P. Ampavila.

(Note: Quotes in this report are translations)