The CID has intensified its inquiry into the involvement of suspended former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and six other suspects in a shooting incident that took place in front of a hotel in the Weligama Police Division on December 31, 2023.
The Court of Appeal on March 12 reserved its order on the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon till March 17 (today). In his writ petition, Tennakoon sought an order to stay the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.
This case has garnered widespread public attention, with legal experts and civil society groups closely monitoring the judicial proceedings and the Government’s commitment to upholding justice and accountability.
The case, currently under judicial review at the Matara Magistrate’s Court, prompted the Court to issue an order on February 27, 2025, directing that the suspects, including Tennakoon and Colombo Crime Division (CCD) Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Anslem de Silva, be taken into custody and produced before the judiciary. A copy of the directive has been forwarded to the CID, with instructions to proceed with the arrests following consultations with the Attorney General and the Acting Inspector General of Police.
Following the Court order, Tennakoon filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal, challenging the directive.
After due consideration, the Court of Appeal is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the petition today 17, 2025. Additionally, a separate writ petition was filed by the suspects, including the CCD OIC, requesting the Court of Appeal to prevent their immediate arrest. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between the Attorney General’s Office and the legal representatives of the petitioners, whereby the suspects would not be taken into custody until the preliminary investigations are concluded.
Instead, they have been directed to appear before the CID for questioning, with their statements to be recorded as per the Attorney General’s instructions. The Court of Appeal has scheduled further proceedings on this petition for 21st March 2025.
As a result, none of the six suspects, including the CCD OIC, have been taken into custody thus far. Meanwhile, the CID has deployed six investigation teams to conduct investigations for the arrest of Tennakoon and probe the allegations against suspended IGP.
