BREAKING: Sri Lanka's Suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Remanded Until April

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon was remanded until the 3rd of April 2025. He was produced at the Matara Magistrate's Court on Thursday (20). 

Deshabandu Appears In Court After Weeks On The Run:

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was ordered to be arrested on sight, appeared before the Matara Magistrate's Court on Wednesday morning (19) and was subsequently remanded until Thursday (20).

Lawyers representing Tennakoon requested bail, but Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, representing the Attorney General, strongly opposed the request.

Peiris argued that Tennakoon is a notorious organized criminal, worse than underworld figures like Makandure Madush and Harak Kata.

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was ordered to be arrested on sight, appeared before the Matara Magistrate's Court at approximately 7:30 AM, accompanied by a team of lawyers.

According to a News First court reporter, President's Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe and around 15 other lawyers represented Tennakoon in court.

Although Tennakoon surrendered to the court in the morning, the hearing before Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa began around 12:40 PM.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris, representing the Attorney General, also appeared at the Matara Magistrate's to present arguments.

President's Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe, representing Tennakoon, highlighted that his client surrendered immediately after the Court of Appeal rejected his request for legal relief.

Excerpt from President's Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe's Statement:

"If bail is denied, there are only two reasons under the Bail Act: evading investigations and influencing witnesses. Although the Supreme Court suspended his duties as IGP, he conducted the Yukthiya operation, arresting many criminals. If he is remanded, he must be provided proper protection in prison. However, I request that he be released on suitable bail conditions."

Despite these arguments, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris strongly opposed granting bail.

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris presented extensive arguments against granting bail to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Excerpt from Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris's Statement:

"Your Honor, this morning I learned that a suspect with an open warrant arrived in court in a Benz, wearing a tie and coat, accompanied by two other vehicles. This is why I am here on behalf of the Attorney General. I did not expect this; they came to court like a thief in the night, without informing us about the motion, and tried to get bail. When I arrived, he was sitting in the front row, wearing a tie and coat. I want to ask, Your Honor, how can a suspect with an open warrant be sitting here instead of being in custody? A suspect with an open warrant should be in custody, not sitting here. A criminal cannot come to court and sit here comfortably. A criminal should come to court fearing the law, crawling on the ground. I said in the Court of Appeal that this suspect is not suitable even for the position of a police constable, let alone the IGP. I apologize to all police constables for saying this. Your Honor, he is not suitable even for the position of a police constable. He turned off his phone, played hide-and-seek, and evaded court for 20 days. He is a top-class actor. He is also an organized criminal, worse than underworld figures like Makandure Madush and Harak Kata. He shamelessly came before your court only after his nose was filled with water. He named you as the first respondent in his petition to the Court of Appeal, accusing you of conspiring by closing the court doors. We have not fallen to such a state. He said that lawyers protect criminals, but today he came to court surrounded by lawyers. This is not a case about the W15 hotel shooting. This is karma. He does not need an explanation of what karma is. His eyes are already showing it. This is his karma, and it has come to fruition in this very life."

After considering arguments from both sides, the Magistrate has decided to announce the bail decision for former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon on Thursday (20) at 2 PM.

Following the court proceedings, Tennakoon was taken to the Angunakolapelessa Prison under heavy security.

Why Did Court Order the Arrest of Deshabandu Tennakoon?

On December 31, 2023, officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) were involved in a shooting incident at the W15 Hotel in Pelena, Matara. Subsequently, officers from the Weligama Police and the Special Task Force fired upon the CCD team.

The incident resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another. Investigations revealed that the attack was allegedly orchestrated by Tennakoon.

A warrant was issued on February 28, 2025, in connection with a shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023, which resulted in the death of an officer from the Colombo Crime Division.

The Matara Magistrate's Court had ordered the arrest of Tennakoon and eight others involved in the incident.

Following the issuance of the warrant, Tennakoon was also subjected to an international travel ban.

Despite this, he evaded arrest, prompting the police to launch a special operation to apprehend him.

In a bid to avoid arrest, Tennakoon filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal, seeking an interim order to prevent his detention.

However, the Court of Appeal rejected his petition and instructed the police to arrest Tennakoon immediately and present him before the Matara Magistrate's Court.

The Court of Appeal also ordered legal action against individuals who assisted Tennakoon in evading arrest.