News Today: Suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon appears before inquiry

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon appeared before the Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate allegations of serious misconduct and abuse of power. This marks his first official appearance before the three-member committee following the resolution passed in Parliament on April 8, 2025.

The committee session took place at 2:00 PM yesterday in a Committee Room within the Parliament premises. After weeks of preliminary discussions, the Committee formally launched its inquiry with this initial probing session involving IGP Tennakoon. The detailed investigations are expected to follow, based on findings from the preliminary sessions.

The Committee of Inquiry, established under Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No. 5 of 2002, has the authority to recommend removal of an officer from service on grounds of misconduct or abuse of power. The motion to investigate Tennakoon was passed on allegations under Sections 3(d) and 3(e), indicating gross abuse of power and misconduct.

The Committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice P. P. Surasena and includes Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E. W. M. Lalith Ekanayake.

In a related move, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya has appointed a special four-member Police investigation team, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). This team was formed at the request of the Committee of Inquiry to support the investigation process.