Suspended Sri Lankan Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon Surrenders After Evading Arrest
Deshabandu Tennakoon, the suspended Sri Lankan police chief, surrendered after evading arrest related to a fatal shooting in 2023. He was placed in remand for a day following an unsuccessful appeal against his arrest. Tennakoon’s history of misconduct and the police’s efforts to apprehend him indicate significant issues within the police force.
Deshabandu Tennakoon, the suspended inspector general of police in Sri Lanka, surrendered to the court on March 19, 2025, after evading arrest for over two weeks concerning a shooting incident from 2023. He turned himself in at the magistrate’s court located in Matara, which subsequently remanded him in custody for one day.
Tennakoon had been on the run since February 28, 2025, when a Matara court ordered his arrest linked to a deadly incident in Weligama, where a police raid connected to illegal drugs unintentionally resulted in an officer’s death due to crossfire. Prior to surrendering, Tennakoon had lost an appeal at the Court of Appeal, which denied his request for protection against arrest without a hearing.
Under suspension since July 2024, Tennakoon’s fugitive status was propelled by the Supreme Court’s order to review the legality of his appointment as police chief. Despite a history of misconduct, he was appointed in November 2023. Following his suspension, an acting police chief has been overseeing operations.
In efforts to capture Tennakoon, police had deployed six teams and sought public assistance post-arrest order. A police raid on his residence in Hokandara resulted in the seizure of over 1,200 bottles of foreign liquor and personal weapons. His wife, an attorney, subsequently filed a complaint alleging that the raid was executed without a warrant.
Deshabandu Tennakoon’s surrender marks a significant development in a case tied to a fatal shooting incident involving police operations. His previous evasion of arrest, coupled with a history of legal challenges related to his police chief appointment, highlights ongoing issues within the Sri Lankan police force. The authorities’ efforts in apprehending him reflect broader implications for accountability and governance in law enforcement amidst public scrutiny.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
