• Cab. Spokesperson also notes ongoing searches for Prasanna Ranaweera, Ishara Sewuwandi and hitherto unnamed suspects

Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday defected allegations of a ‘deal’ not to arrest Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon – presently suspended by the Supreme Court from performing the duties and functions of the said office. 

Minister Jayatissa stressed that multiple Police teams have been deployed to track down the missing IGP and other suspects, wanted for a range of crimes.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing yesterday (18), Dr. Jayatissa responded to questions from the media regarding whether Tennakoon’s arrest was being delayed due to an alleged ‘deal’ with the Government. Additionally, the media inquired about the Government’s stance on the suspension of Tennakoon from duties.

In response, Dr. Jayatissa stated that the Minister of Public Security (Ananda Wijepala) would provide further information on the matter in due course. He further clarified: “Not only Tennakoon, there are several others who need to be arrested, and Police teams have been deployed for this purpose. You are not saying that there is some deal with (former State Minister) Prasanna Ranaweera, right? We are also looking for him. We are also looking for (Ishara) Sewwandi (the accomplice in the Ganemulla Sanjeewa court killing).” 

He clarified that several other individuals, whose names have not been disclosed so far, are also being sought, and that Police teams have been deployed for this purpose. As of now, 13 persons have been arrested in connection with the ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder case, including two Police officers and a prison Jailer, he said, adding that the necessary legal action will be initiated. 

“While these investigations are ongoing, the State machinery has also been extended to arrest the officers involved. It can be said that the Police is doing their best. Therefore, there is no escape. If you know facts that we or the Police don’t know, it is better to present them. Rest assured, the law will be enforced for sure,” he added.

When the media questioned regarding a media statement issued by the Police Department regarding an agreement between the lawyers of the other suspects and the Attorney General (AG), an agreement reached before the Magistrate's order to arrest the suspects, he stated that the AG's Department would present facts if the media statement had distorted any information related to the case. 

The media argued that the agreement had been reached in January of this year, before the Magistrate's order to arrest the suspects, and was completely irrelevant to the case, contrary to the claims made in the statement.