• Speaker places resolution for removal in the Order Paper

The Committee of Inquiry (CoI) appointed to inquire and report its findings on suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon in respect of acts of gross abuse of power has found him guilty of all the allegations leveled against him.

The Speaker of the House Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne confirmed that he has received the report of the CoI which has recommended the removal of Tennakoon from the post of the IGP.

The CoI was chaired by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and consisted of retired Court of Appeal Judge, Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and the Chairperson of the National Police Commission (ex-officio) E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake. 

The resolution to appoint a CoI in terms of Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, to remove Tennakoon from the office of the IGP for misconduct and gross abuse of power of his office in terms of Sections 3(d) and 3(e) read with Section 5 of the said Act was passed in the Parliament on 4 April.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Parliament Dr. Wickramaratne, issuing a statement on the same, noted: ”This Committee has unanimously found the officer in question guilty of the allegations brought against him, in accordance with Section 8(2) of the Act. This marks a historic moment in our constitutional journey, where, for the first time in the history of the Republic, such a committee has submitted its findings recommending the removal of an IGP under the provisions of the law enacted by the Parliament. As mandated under Section 17 of the said Act, I hereby place the finding of guilt in the form of a resolution in the Order Paper of the Parliament for the consideration and vote of this House. This Parliament now bears the responsibility of considering the resolution to give effect to the Committee’s findings. The House shall be notified in due course of the scheduled date for debate and vote. In executing this duty, we uphold the values of constitutional governance, institutional accountability, and the supremacy of the law – principles that are foundational to a functioning democracy. I urge the Parliamentarians to approach the forthcoming proceedings with the dignity, objectivity, and responsibility that they demand.”