News Today: Supreme Court Delays Crucial Hearing on Former IGP’s Case

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of the much-anticipated legal challenge against the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Sri Lanka’s Inspector General of Police (IGP). The hearing is now scheduled for September 8th, allowing more time for detailed judicial review.

The petitions allege that Tennakoon’s appointment, made by then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, was unconstitutional as it lacked the formal approval of the Constitutional Council, a mandatory step under the country’s supreme law.

The case was heard yesterday by a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Sobitha Rajakaruna, and Sampath Wijeratne.

The petitioners include a diverse group of influential figures and organizations. Among them are:

• His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo

• The Young Journalists’ Association

• Nine other civil rights petitioners

They argue that Tennakoon’s appointment bypassed legally required procedures, setting a dangerous precedent for governance and undermining the rule of law. The hearing’s postponement is seen as a move to give ample time for all legal arguments and documentation to be properly reviewed.

This case has drawn significant public interest and media attention, highlighting concerns about transparency, constitutional accountability, and executive overreach in high-profile state appointments.