Sri Lanka’s Suspended Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon Surrenders After Evasion

Deshabandu Tennakoon, Sri Lanka’s suspended police chief, surrendered to court after evading arrest for two weeks related to a shooting incident. He faced previous accusations, including torture, and was under suspension since mid-2024. Police raided his home, seizing illicit items. His case raises concerns about police accountability.

Deshabandu Tennakoon, the suspended Inspector General of Police in Sri Lanka, surrendered to the court on March 19, 2025, after evading arrest for over two weeks in connection with a shooting incident from December 2023. He turned himself in at the magistrate’s court in Matara, where he was promptly remanded for one day.

Tennakoon had been on the run since February 28, when a court order mandated his arrest following a tragic shooting involving police during an undercover drug operation in Weligama. The Court of Appeal had recently denied his appeal to prevent arrest without conducting a hearing.

Under suspension since July 2024, Tennakoon was implicated in a deadly encounter where officers from the Weligama police mistakenly shot at the Colombo Crime Division vehicle. This incident resulted in the death of one officer. Following the court order, the police initiated a public appeal for information and assembled six dedicated teams to locate him.

His suspension occurred after the Supreme Court determined that a hearing regarding his appointment’s legality was warranted due to previous allegations of torture against him. Despite being found guilty in a separate case, he was appointed as police chief in November 2023. An acting chief has since managed the police force.

On March 18, police raided Tennakoon’s residence in Hokandara, recovering over 1,200 bottles of foreign alcohol and personal weapons. His wife, an attorney, has claimed the raid was executed unlawfully, lacking proper warrant approval. Overall, Tennakoon’s surrender marks a significant development in a case that has generated substantial public interest and scrutiny.

In summary, Deshabandu Tennakoon’s surrender follows an extensive period of evasion after a serious shooting incident involving police operations. His suspension and subsequent legal challenges highlight ongoing issues within Sri Lanka’s law enforcement framework, compounded by the fatal consequences of police errors. The recent raid at his home further elevates the complexities surrounding his case, indicating a critical need for reform and accountability in the police force.

Original Source: indianexpress.com