Internal Crisis and Investigation Woes Plague Sri Lanka Police Department

The Sri Lankan Police Department is currently grappling with a severe internal crisis, marked by a series of conflicts and issues regarding criminal investigations. Investigative journalist Sri Lal Priyantha highlighted the ongoing turmoil in a recent update on his YouTube channel, "Ethalaya News," focusing on the strained relations within the police leadership and troubling allegations surrounding key figures.

Tensions Between Police Leadership: IGP vs SDIG

One of the primary sources of discord within the department is the ongoing feud between Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya and Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Lalith Pathinayake. The IGP has formally requested the National Police Commission (NPC) to remove Pathinayake from his role as Chief Administrator, accusing him of inadequate cooperation. However, the NPC has requested two months to respond to the request, and members of the commission have been accused of opposing the IGP’s efforts.

The crisis deepens as the IGP expresses his frustration, claiming he feels like a “puppet” with little control over the department. Furthermore, allegations are surfacing that several members of the police commission, appointed by influential figures such as President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Tiran Alles, are acting against both the IGP and the government.

Leadership Controversies and Appointments

The controversy over leadership appointments within the Sri Lankan Police continues to escalate. SDIG Nilanta Jayawardena, who holds the highest seniority in the police force, was bypassed for the IGP position, reportedly due to political influence from former Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles. Jayawardena had been sent on compulsory leave following an investigation into the 2019 Easter bomb attacks, a move linked to political figures in power.

Despite these concerns, journalist Sri Lal Priyantha argues that Jayawardena is a clean officer and the most qualified candidate for the IGP role. Meanwhile, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya, who was appointed despite being fourth on the seniority list, remains largely untainted by allegations of corruption and is widely seen as a capable officer.

In a significant development, it has been reported that SDIG Lalith Pathinayake may soon be removed from his position, with senior officer Sajeeva Medawatta being considered for the role. The NPC has granted two months for the IGP to provide additional information about the ongoing crisis.

Deshabandu Tennakoon's Legal Troubles

Another major issue concerning the Sri Lankan Police is the ongoing legal troubles of former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. Tennakoon, who is facing charges related to a shooting incident in Weligama, is reportedly evading arrest. He has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal to suspend the case against him, alongside an anticipatory bail application in the Supreme Court. His actions have raised questions about his involvement in criminal activities and his ability to evade justice.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Ishara Sewwandi

The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Ishara Sewwandi, a key figure in the murder of Sanjeewa from Ganemulla, is also creating ripples within the police force. Sewwandi, who had reportedly disguised herself as a lawyer to carry out the murder, has been missing for over 13 days. Police investigations suggest that she may have been killed by the criminals involved in the murder to prevent her from exposing details about the criminal network behind the crime.

Despite intensive search operations, including the use of advanced technology and intelligence, there have been no breakthroughs in the case. Law enforcement authorities suspect that Sewwandi may have been silenced, with her body hidden to prevent further investigation into the criminal syndicate.

Urgent Calls for Reform

In light of the ongoing internal struggles, Sri Lal Priyantha has called for immediate action to remove the current members of the National Police Commission and appoint new, more effective individuals to address the crises within the police force. He argues that the current leadership is failing to provide the necessary support to the IGP, leading to a system where corrupt officers continue to operate with impunity.

As investigations continue into these troubling issues, the situation within Sri Lanka’s police force remains precarious, with many calling for urgent reforms to restore order and accountability.