The Matara Magistrate’s Court has issued an order for the arrest of eight officers, including former Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, requiring them to be produced before the court.
This directive is linked to a shooting incident that took place on December 31, 2023, in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara.
Addressing the matter, Police Media Spokesperson, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Buddhika Manatunga, stated, “The shooting by Weligama Police officers was carried out based on their right to personal safety. As such, no legal action has been taken against them. However, the deployment of officers from the Colombo Crimes Division to the location was unlawful. Consequently, the court has ordered the arrest of the officers who were present at the scene that day, including the then Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and seven others, as suspects in this case.”
On the day of the incident, a team from the Colombo Crimes Division had traveled to Weligama, Matara, to apprehend a group suspected of being close associates of a known cattle rustler.
According to the police, officers in civilian attire were attacked near the W15 Hotel in Weligama, prompting them to open fire in self-defense.
Meanwhile, a mobile patrol unit from the Weligama Police Station arrived at the scene and, under the mistaken belief that the van carrying the Colombo Crimes Division officers was occupied by criminals, opened fire.
As a result, the officers in the van, already under attack, fled the scene. However, two officers inside the vehicle had sustained gunshot wounds.
One of the injured officers, 47-year-old Police Sergeant Upul Chaminda Kumara, attached to the Colombo Crimes Division, later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment in hospital.
Following the preliminary inquest, the Matara Chief Magistrate’s Court announced its verdict on February 27, 2025.
Subsequently, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been ordered to arrest eight individuals, including former Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, and present them before the court.
