Top Cop Turned Criminal? Courtroom Drama As Deshabandu Heads To Remand

COLOMBO (News 1st); Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was ordered to be arrested on sight, appeared before the Matara Magistrate's Court this morning (19) and was subsequently remanded until tomorrow.

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, second only to 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 this morning 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 Yuthukama 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, second only to 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."

Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris presented details regarding the properties and investigations related to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Excerpt from Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris's Statement:

"Your Honor, since the court order was issued on February 27, a massive operation has been conducted to locate him, similar to searching for Prabhakaran. Until yesterday, he and his family were hiding, using social, political, and religious power. The address he provided as his legal residence is occupied by a monk. Over the past days, we questioned officials and politicians, and checked houses. He has made deals with these people. During the search of his house yesterday, we found 795 bottles of alcohol, worth millions. Government employees can't afford such luxuries, but he had around a hundred hampers. His house is not a home but a warehouse. He claims there are life threats if remanded, but he hid for 20 days, even hiding his service firearm among clothes. He has no registered property in his name, not even a bicycle. However, it has been revealed that he unofficially owns eight houses. We inspected one of these houses, and the people there didn't even know who owned it. They thought it was Deshabandu's house. This is why I said that even organized crime gang leaders can't operate this discreetly. We also found that none of his family members have been registered in the voter list since 2021. He is truly a supernatural force, a ghost."

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

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

"Tomorrow at 2 PM, the Honorable Magistrate will make a statement. We will see the order tomorrow. A significant number of lawyers appeared on behalf of both parties," said Attorney-at-Law Anuttara Samanraj.

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.