In response to the claim made by the suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon that certain Police officers in the Southern Province were involved in drug trafficking, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala noted that such a statement alone shows that Tennakoon is unfit to remain in the said post.

During a recent session of the Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate Tennakoon over alleged abuse of power (chaired by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Preethi Padman Surasena), Tennakoon alleged that several Police officers in the Southern Province, especially from Matara, were collaborating and working with a drug trafficking network linked to the organised crime suspect Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias Harak Kata, due to fear or personal gain.

Speaking to The Daily Morning about the claim, Wijepala said that if Police officers were indeed linked to the drug trade or organised crime gangs, it is Tennakoon himself who should be held accountable for failing to act during his time as the IGP. “He was suspended only recently. If he knew that officers were involved in drug trafficking and organised crime activities, why didn’t he take any action? He should be questioned about that.” He also added that the allegation itself proves that Tennakoon is not suitable for the post. “He served as the IGP for almost a year. If he’s now saying that officers were working with drug networks, what did he do about it when he was in charge? This shows how he handled the role. It’s exactly why he shouldn’t continue as the IGP.”