On February 27, 2025, the Honorable Court ordered the arrest of six suspects, including suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon and Colombo Crimes Division OIC Anslam de Silva, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in front of a hotel in the Weligama Police Division on December 31, 2023.
A copy of this court order was issued to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and after informing the Honorable Attorney General and the Acting IGP, directives were given to proceed with the arrests.
However, Deshabandu Tennakoon, who was suspended from his post, filed a writ petition against the Matara Magistrate Court’s order. The Court of Appeal is scheduled to review this petition and deliver a ruling on March 17, 2025.
In a separate legal move, the Colombo Crimes Division OIC and the other six suspects also submitted a writ petition to the Court of Appeal, requesting that they not be arrested.
Following legal discussions, an agreement was reached between the Honorable Attorney General and the petitioners’ lawyers in the Court of Appeal. As a result, the Attorney General has instructed the CID not to proceed with arrests until preliminary investigations are completed. Instead, the suspects are required to appear before the CID to provide statements.
The Court of Appeal is set to hear this writ petition on March 21, 2025.
While the suspects, including the Colombo Crimes Division OIC, remain free from arrest, six CID investigation teams continue their efforts to locate and arrest Deshabandu Tennakoon, who has been suspended from his post as IGP.
