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The Court of Appeal today refused to issue an interim order preventing the arrest of suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting incident.
In a significant ruling, the Court directed the police to execute the arrest warrant issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court in accordance with the law. The two-judge bench, led by Justice (Acting President) Mohamed Laffar, dismissed Tennakoon’s writ petition, which sought to stay the arrest warrant, and ordered him to bear the legal costs.
Justice Mohamed Laffar, makeing a lengthy order criticised the conduct of Deshabandu Thenakoon who is evading arrest and the Matara Magistrate’s and that his hands are not clean.
The Poloce was directed to take immediate action not only to arrest Deshabandu Thenakoon but also to prosecute those who are helping him to evade arrest.
Tiran Alles
The Sri Lankan police are now under immense pressure to carry out the arrest, as concerns grow over potential political interference in the process. Journalists have pointed out that Tennakoon appears to be receiving protection from former National Security Minister Tiran Alles. Notably, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa avoided answering questions about this matter during the recent Cabinet press briefing.
Adding to the growing scrutiny, Tennakoon’s wife and child were questioned at their residence in Hokandara. The situation has been widely perceived as a serious lapse in law enforcement, with critics arguing that delays in his arrest raise concerns about the integrity of the legal process.
Opposition MP, Attorney-at-Law Nizam Kariapper says suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon can be located through the writ petition he has filed in court.
There is a Clue
Addressing the Parliament yesterday, MP Kariapper pointed out that, as Tennakoon is required to sign and take oaths before a Justice of Peace when filing a writ petition at the Court of Appeal, his whereabouts can be determined through this petition.
“A writ petition has been filed at the Court of Appeal seeking an order to suspend the arrest warrant against Deshabandu Tennakoon. Oaths must be taken when presenting a writ petition before the Court of Appeal. The oaths must be taken before a Justice of Peace. He must also sign the petition before the Justice of Peace. That document is at the court now. If we find the Justice of Peace, then we can locate the evading IGP,” he said.
