Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage today issued an order directing the Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order to show cause as to why the Ministry failed to transfer Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, ignoring the Attorney General’s instructions.
On May 23, the Attorney General instructed the IGP to transfer Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon immediately to prevent unnecessary intervention into the investigations relating to the attacks on peaceful protesters.
President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne appearing for the aggrieved party, told the court that the authorities have still failed to transfer Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon despite the Attorney General’s instructions. President’s Counsel Upul Jayasuriya appearing for another aggrieved party, told the court that Deshabandu Tennakoon could be considered the second mastermind behind the attack on peaceful protesters for the negligence of duty to prevent the mob attack.
Senior Deputy Solicitor General Dilan Ratnayake submitted to the court that the investigations into Deshabandu Tennakoon had been concluded by the CID. He said extracts of the investigations are now with the Attorney General for his advice.
Meanwhile, Counsel Hafeel Farisz appearing for Deshabandu Tennakoon raised objections against the request made by the lawyers of the aggrieved parties to name Tennakoon as a suspect in the case.
He submitted to the court that the Magistrate has no jurisdiction to name an individual as a suspect, while the Attorney General’s advice is being sought by the police.I
