Sri Lankan Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon: From Controversial Appointment to Criminal Allegations

 

A Dramatic Fall from Grace for the Nation's Top Cop

Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, once the most powerful law enforcement official in Sri Lanka, now finds himself at the center of one of the country's most significant police scandals in recent memory. From his controversial appointment in November 2023 to his current position as a fugitive-turned-defendant facing multiple criminal charges, Tennakoon's tenure represents a dramatic collapse that has shaken public confidence in the nation's police force.

The embattled police chief, who was granted bail in April 2025 after surrendering following a three-week manhunt, faces serious allegations ranging from operating a criminal network to orchestrating deadly police operations for personal vendettas. His case has prompted unprecedented parliamentary action, with lawmakers initiating formal removal proceedings that could result in his dismissal from the country's highest police position.

The Weligama Shooting: A Fatal Operation Gone Wrong

The charges against Tennakoon stem from a fatal shooting incident on December 31, 2023, outside the W15 Hotel in Weligama, approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Colombo. According to court documents and police investigations, Tennakoon, in his capacity as Inspector General, ordered officers from the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) to conduct an undercover "drug raid" at the resort hotel.

However, the operation turned deadly when local Weligama police, unaware of the undercover mission, confronted the CCD officers, sparking a gunfight that resulted in the death of one police sergeant and critical injuries to another officer. Significantly, no drugs were recovered from the scene, raising immediate questions about the legitimacy and purpose of the operation.

The Matara Magistrate's Court subsequently ruled that the deployment of CCD officers had been unauthorized and illegal. In February 2025, the court issued arrest warrants for eight police officers, including Tennakoon, on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

Attorney General's Shocking Revelations: A Criminal Network

The case took a dramatic turn when Sri Lanka's Attorney General's Department made explosive allegations against Tennakoon during court proceedings in March 2025. Additional Solicitor General Dilipa Peiris accused the police chief of operating "a criminal network" using officers under his command.

According to the Attorney General's office, the Weligama attack was not a legitimate police operation but rather an orchestrated assault linked to a personal dispute between Tennakoon and the hotel owner. Peiris further alleged that Tennakoon had systematically misused police resources, deploying officers as a "paramilitary force" to settle personal conflicts and act as enforcers outside the bounds of law.

These revelations painted a picture of unprecedented corruption at the highest levels of Sri Lankan law enforcement, with state prosecutors describing Tennakoon as "the head of a criminal network" and declaring him unfit to lead the country's 85,000-strong police force.

A History of Abuse and Controversy

Tennakoon's appointment as Inspector General in November 2023 was controversial from the outset. Despite widespread opposition, then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe elevated him to the position even though the Supreme Court had previously found him guilty of torturing a suspect in custody.

The torture case, which became a landmark ruling, involved Tennakoon personally visiting detained suspects in what the court described as a "torture chamber". The Supreme Court found that Tennakoon had "beat the petitioner with a 'three-wheel rubber band' after stripping him naked and ordering him to rub Siddhalepa [menthol balm] on his genitalia". Although the court ordered him to pay 500,000 rupees ($1,600) in compensation to the victim, no disciplinary action was taken against him at the time.

The appointment sparked immediate legal challenges, with four Fundamental Rights petitions filed before the Supreme Court by prominent figures including Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and victims of the 2019 Easter attacks. Petitioners argued that Tennakoon had neglected his duties during critical incidents, including the Easter Sunday bombings and attacks on peaceful protesters during the 'Aragalaya' demonstrations.

Supreme Court Suspension and Evasion of Justice

In July 2024, mounting legal pressure culminated in the Supreme Court issuing an interim order preventing Tennakoon from functioning as Inspector General. The suspension came after the court granted leave to proceed with nine petitions challenging his appointment, with proceedings scheduled to continue through 2025.

When the Matara Magistrate's Court issued an arrest warrant in February 2025, Tennakoon's response revealed the extent of his desperation. Rather than surrendering, he went into hiding for more than two weeks, abandoning his security detail and prompting a nationwide manhunt. Police spokesperson Buddhika Manathunga publicly appealed for assistance in locating him, stating: "We seek public support to arrest him. We treat him as a suspect".

During his time as a fugitive, Tennakoon filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal seeking to prevent his arrest, but the court dismissed his request and ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to take immediate action. The court also imposed an international travel ban and threatened legal action against anyone assisting him in evading arrest.

Surrender and Remand: The Net Closes

Tennakoon's period as a fugitive ended on March 19, 2025, when he finally surrendered to the Matara Magistrate's Court, accompanied by a team of 15 lawyers led by President's Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe. His surrender came only after the Court of Appeal definitively rejected his legal challenges.

The circumstances of his surrender were as dramatic as his evasion. When Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris opposed bail, he reportedly compared Tennakoon to notorious underworld figures, arguing that he was "a notorious organized criminal, worse than underworld figures like Makandure Madush and Harak Kata".

Following his initial court appearance, Tennakoon was remanded until April 3, 2025, and subsequently until April 10, when he was finally granted bail under strict conditions. The Matara Magistrate's Court set bail at two million rupees ($6,660) with two sureties of one million rupees each.

Parliamentary Action: Removal Proceedings

The scandal prompted swift action from Sri Lanka's parliament, where 115 members from the ruling National People's Power (NPP) coalition submitted a formal motion seeking Tennakoon's removal from office. The motion, presented by NPP MP Lakmali Hemachandra, was passed unanimously on April 8, 2025, with 151 votes in favor and none against.

The parliamentary resolution invokes the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No. 5 of 2002 and includes 27 specific charges against Tennakoon, encompassing corruption, misconduct, abuse of power, and gross partiality. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa endorsed the motion, ensuring bipartisan support for the removal proceedings.

The process requires the establishment of a three-member investigative committee chaired by Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena, alongside Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and National Police Commission Chairman E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake. This committee has been conducting hearings since May 2025, with Tennakoon making his first appearance on May 19, 2025.

Additional Investigations and Allegations

Beyond the Weligama shooting case, investigations have uncovered additional concerning evidence. During a search of Tennakoon's residence in Hokandara, authorities discovered a significant cache of liquor consisting of 1,009 bottles of alcohol, including foreign liquor and wine, along with a firearm believed to belong to the suspended police chief. The discovery raised questions about potential customs violations and illegal possession of weapons.

Government spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayathissa has indicated that investigations extend to examining whether Tennakoon received salaries from other institutions while serving in his government position, and allegations of operating an unlicensed distillery at his residence. The Criminal Investigation Department has been tasked with investigating these additional claims.

Implications for Sri Lankan Law Enforcement

The Tennakoon scandal represents more than just the fall of one official; it has exposed systemic failures in Sri Lanka's police oversight mechanisms and raised fundamental questions about the appointment and accountability of senior law enforcement officials.

The case has highlighted the urgent need for independent oversight of police operations and comprehensive reforms to prevent the misuse of police resources for personal vendettas. The Attorney General's characterization of Tennakoon as leading a criminal network has particularly shocked the public and legal community, suggesting that corruption may have reached unprecedented levels within the police hierarchy.

Current Status and Future Proceedings

As of June 2025, Tennakoon remains on bail while facing multiple legal challenges. The parliamentary inquiry committee continues its investigation into the 23 charges against him, with proceedings expected to continue through the year. If found guilty by the parliamentary committee, his removal must be endorsed by an absolute majority of MPs, a threshold that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's government is believed to command comfortably.

The criminal case related to the Weligama shooting remains active in the Matara Magistrate's Court, with the next hearing scheduled for May 22, 2025. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court continues to hear the fundamental rights petitions challenging his original appointment, with final rulings pending.

The Deshabandu Tennakoon affair represents a watershed moment for Sri Lankan law enforcement, demonstrating both the consequences of inadequate oversight and the potential for institutional accountability when legal and political mechanisms work in concert. As proceedings continue, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining integrity and transparency at the highest levels of public service, particularly in institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law.