Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Buddhika Manathunga, the current Police Spokesperson, has revealed that he has requested a transfer due to personal reasons, clarifying that he will continue to fulfill his duties until a replacement is officially appointed.
Addressing rumors about his resignation, SSP Manathunga stated, “Once a responsibility is assigned to a police officer, you cannot refuse that responsibility. However, I have requested a transfer for personal reasons. Until the necessary arrangements are made by the National Police Commission and other relevant institutions to appoint another officer, I will continue to carry out my assigned duties and responsibilities as the Police Media Spokesperson.”
His remarks have come at a time when the Sri Lankan police force was dealing with an unprecedented embarrassment involving none other than their former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.
The former IGP’s decision to evade arrest for nearly 20 days, while hiding from law enforcement did severely dent the credibility of the police force.
The situation turned into a farcical spectacle, as Tennakoon continued to live the life of a fugitive despite multiple arrest warrants issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Weligama hotel shooting incident. His ability to remain at large while technically still holding one of the most powerful law enforcement positions in the country has left the public in disbelief.
SSP Manathunga’s struggle to maintain a straight face while delivering updates on his “big boss” avoiding arrest was a testament to the utter embarrassment faced by the police force. The daily media briefings were riddled with awkward moments and contradictions, with Manathunga desperately trying to provide credible explanations despite the glaring absurdity of the situation.
It was a classic case of the hunter becoming the hunted. Deshabandu Tennakoon, once the top cop in Sri Lanka, was now the subject of a nationwide manhunt, making the police force a laughingstock both locally and internationally. The public’s frustration was evident, with many questioning how the police could effectively function when their highest-ranking official was actively avoiding justice.
The fact that the police spokesperson himself is seeking a transfer during this tumultuous period only adds to the perception of chaos within the institution. As SSP Manathunga continues to perform his duties while awaiting a replacement, the integrity of the police force remains in question, and the nation waits to see if justice will truly prevail or if this farcical episode will be swept under the rug like so many others before it.
In a dramatic turn of events, IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon eventually resurfaced and presented himself before the court, submitting a formal application requesting bail. However, the court was not swayed by his request, and his bail application was denied. As a result, Tennakoon is currently being held in remand custody at Ward ‘K’ of the Dumbara Prison, a designated section generally used to accommodate elderly individuals. The unfolding drama has now become the latest chapter in an ongoing saga that has left the Sri Lankan police force reeling from public criticism and intense scrutiny.
