Breaking: Suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon Makes Court Appearance in Matara

COLOMBO (News 1st); Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has arrived at the Matara Magistrate's Court, said Sri Lanka Police on Wednesday (19) morning.

Tennakoon's court appearance is linked to a shooting incident near the W15 Hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023.

Earlier, a joint operation was launched to arrest suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, under the direct supervision of the Acting IGP.

The operation aimed to apprehend not only Deshabandu Tennakoon but also individuals who are aiding and abetting him in evading arrest.

On February 28, Matara Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa ordered the arrest of Tennakoon and eight others based on the CID's findings.

Following further submissions by the CID, the Magistrate Court issued an open warrant for Tennakoon's arrest.

On March 7, Tennakoon filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal, seeking an interim order to suspend the Matara Magistrate Court's directive.

The petition was heard on Monday (17) before Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Laffar Tahir, and Justice Sarath Disanayake.

After considering arguments, the bench dismissed Tennakoon's motion.

On December 31, 2023, a shooting occurred in front of the W-15 Hotel in Pelena, Weligama, Matara.

A Colombo Crimes Division officer was killed, and another officer was seriously injured in the incident.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted an investigation and reported the findings to the Matara Magistrate Court on February 27.

Eight officers from the Colombo Crimes Division, dressed in civilian clothes, went to Weligama, claiming that associates of a drug-related suspect named Harak Kata were staying at the hotel. The CID revealed that the officers opened fire at the hotel.

Subsequently, officers from the Weligama Police and the Special Task Force arrived at the scene, and had opened fire at the fleeing Colombo Crime Division officers' van.

The van fled towards the Imaduwa entrance of the Expressway, where the police eventually apprehended them.

One of the main allegations against suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon was that he had sent Colombo Crime Division officers to the Southern Province for personal reasons.

Investigations later accused Tennakoon of maintaining an unofficial armed squad.