Court of Appeal Reserves Order on Former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon's Petition to Halt Arrest

The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision until March 17 on the writ petition filed by former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who seeks to stay the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate's Court in connection with the Weligama shooting incident.

Background of the Case

The case centers around a shooting that occurred on December 31, 2023, near the W15 Hotel in Pelana, Weligama. An operation led by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) resulted in a confrontation that left a police officer dead. Subsequently, the Matara Magistrate's Court deemed the operation unauthorized and issued arrest warrants for Tennakoon and eight other police officers on charges of conspiracy to commit murder.

Proceedings in the Court of Appeal

The two-judge bench of the Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Mohamed Laffar and Sarath Dissanayake, heard arguments from both sides. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, representing Tennakoon, contended that the arrest order was issued contrary to legal provisions and without recording a statement from his client. He argued that the arrest warrant lacked proper legal basis and sought an interim order to stay its execution.

On the opposing side, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris, PC, representing the Attorney General, asserted that Tennakoon was the mastermind behind the Weligama hotel operation, which led to the shooting targeting the hotel owner. He further urged the court to dismiss the petition in limine, citing Tennakoon’s suppression of material facts related to the Matara Magistrate's Court proceedings.

Current Status

As of early March 2025, Tennakoon remains at large, evading arrest despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement. Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone assisting him in evading capture. These incidents have significantly impacted public trust in Sri Lanka's law enforcement, highlighting concerns about accountability and the use of violence by police officials.

The Court of Appeal's decision on March 17 will be pivotal in determining the legal course of action concerning Tennakoon's arrest warrant and the broader implications for law enforcement accountability in Sri Lanka.