Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon appeared before the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (CoI) yesterday (19), which is tasked with investigating allegations of misconduct and serious abuse of office against him.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, Tennakoon’s appearance took place at 2 p.m. in Committee Room Number Eight of the Parliament.

This marks his first appearance before the committee, which has been conducting preliminary inquiries over the past few weeks and formally commenced its investigation yesterday.

The committee, appointed under Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, was established following a resolution passed in the Parliament on 8 April 2025. The resolution seeks Tennakoon’s removal from office under Sections 3(d) and 3(e) of the Act, citing alleged misconduct and gross abuse of power.

Chaired by Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena, the committee also comprises retired Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and the Chairperson of the National Police Commission (Ex-officio), E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

The committee last convened on 15 May to discuss the structure and progress of the inquiry.

Meanwhile, in response to a formal request by the committee, the Acting IGP has appointed a special team to assist with the ongoing investigations.