BREAKING: 115 MPs Push for Deshabandu Tennakoon's Removal

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National People's Power (NPP) Parliamentary Group submitted a proposal to the Speaker of Parliament, calling for the removal of Deshabandu Tennakoon from his position as Inspector General of Police (IGP). The proposal, signed by 115 Members of Parliament, was handed over earlier today (25).

Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara said that the NPP has long voiced concerns over Tennakoon's appointment, even before the party assumed office.

Allegations of corruption, abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and bias have been at the forefront of their objections. The group has also pursued legal action against Tennakoon in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara, speaking on behalf of the NPP, emphasized the importance of accountability in public office.

"A people's government is now in power, and we are committed to using the public mandate to remove Deshabandu Tennakoon from the post of Inspector General of Police, a position to which he was unlawfully appointed," Gunasekara stated.

The proposal marks the initial step in the process, with the Speaker expected to appoint a three-member committee to investigate the matter. During discussions with the NPP, the Speaker assured that the selection process for the committee would be expedited.

The NPP highlighted several key concerns, including allegations of corruption and malpractice, abuse of power during the Aragalaya period, dereliction of duty, and bias in Tennakoon's role. Gunasekara also pointed to a raid on Tennakoon's residence, which uncovered a significant quantity of alcohol, as further evidence of misconduct.

Suspended Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon was ordered to be remanded until April 3rd by Matara Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa on March 20th.

The Magistrate instructed the Matara Prison Superintendent to take necessary measures to ensure the suspect's safety.

The Matara Magistrate's Court revealed that Deshabandu Tennakoon is being investigated under nine charges.

These charges include dereliction of duty as a government employee, using eight officers in an illegal assembly for criminal purposes, shooting to intimidate and conspire to cause harm, fabricating false evidence, causing harm with fire or explosives, criminal coercion, causing the death of a police officer through deliberate negligence, causing damage to public property, and committing an offense with an automatic firearm.

What Led To His Arrest & Remand?

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.