Sri Lanka’s Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon Surrenders After Evasion

Deshabandu Tennakoon, Sri Lanka’s suspended police chief, surrendered to the court after evading arrest for over two weeks. His arrest is linked to a shooting incident in December 2023 during an undercover operation against illegal drugs. Following police efforts to locate him, his wife has filed a complaint regarding a search of their home without a warrant.

Deshabandu Tennakoon, the suspended inspector general of police in Sri Lanka, surrendered to court on March 19, 2025, after eluding capture for more than two weeks. He presented himself at the magistrate’s court in Matara, where he was subsequently remanded to prison for one day. His surrender follows the rejection of his appeal at the Court of Appeal two days prior, which sought to prevent his arrest without a hearing.

Tennakoon had been a fugitive since February 28, following a court order for his arrest tied to a December 2023 shooting incident in Weligama. As the inspector general, he had directed a police operation against illegal drugs, during which local police mistakenly opened fire on his undercover team, resulting in an officer’s death. In response to the court’s directive, police formed six teams to secure his capture and solicited public assistance.

Suspended since July 2024, Tennakoon’s legal troubles began with petitions questioning the validity of his position after he was previously found guilty of custodial torture by the Supreme Court. In November 2023, despite this conviction, he had been appointed to the position of police chief. An acting police chief was designated while awaiting the resolution of his case.

During the police investigation for his apprehension, authorities raided his home in Hokandara, Colombo, seizing over 1,200 bottles of foreign liquor and multiple iPhones, purportedly containing personal weapons. In response to the raid, Tennakoon’s wife has lodged a complaint asserting that the police conducted their search without a warrant.

In conclusion, Deshabandu Tennakoon’s recent surrender brings to light ongoing issues within the Sri Lankan police administration, particularly regarding leadership and accountability. His evasion of arrest and the circumstances surrounding the tragic shooting incident in Weligama illustrate the complexities of law enforcement operations in conflict with internal regulations. The investigation continues to unfold as further legal proceedings are expected to address the ramifications of his actions and his contentious appointment.

Original Source: indianexpress.com