IGP Chandana Wickremaratne appeared before the Colombo Fort Magistrate upon receiving notice to explain his stance regarding the failure to transfer Deshabandu Tennekoon following the attack on the Galle Face Green protestors.

The Magistrate asked the IGP to show cause as to why he failed to transfer Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, ignoring the Attorney General’s instructions.

On May 23, the Attorney General had instructed the IGP to consider transferring Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon to prevent unnecessary intervention into the investigations relating to the attack on peaceful protesters.

Appearing before the Magistratethe IGP said that he has no powers to transfer police officers. He further said transfers of police officers come under the purview of the Public Service Commission and the Ministry Secretary. 

Meanwhile, President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanna appearing for the Colombo High Court’s Lawyers Association, moved the court to issue an appropriate order against Deshabandu Tennakoon for his failure to prevent the attack on peaceful protesters disregarding the written instructions given by the IGP. 

He told the court that IGP had sent a letter to Deshabandu Tennakoon on May 8 explaining the possibility of a conflicting situation between two factions at Galle Face. The IGP has passed on instructions to make necessary arrangements to prevent such a conflict. Jayamanna said Tennakoon should have taken preventive measures following the Police Ordinance and the Criminal Procedure Code. 

However, President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty appearing for the interests of Senior DIG Tennakoon, said that the prosecution has misled the court regarding the facts presented over his client’s passport. Ladduwahetty said Deshabandu Tennakoon has already tendered his passport to the court registrar in compliance with the court order. He admitted that Deshabandu Tennakoon received conflicting telephone calls from the IGP and Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security regarding measures against the attackers who entered the Galle Face. Police used tear gas and water cannons against the attackers after Deshabandu Tennakoon received a telephone call from President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, prosecution lawyers informed the Magistrate.

Meanwhile, the Magistrate issued an order directing the IGP to appoint a Senior Deputy Inspector General to observe the ongoing investigations against Deshabandu Tennakoon.