Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne informed Parliament today that the report of the Committee of Inquiry probing allegations of gross abuse of power against suspended IGP Deshabandhu Tennakoon has found him guilty of all charges and has recommended his removal.
The following is the statement made by the Speaker while presenting to Parliament the report of the investigative committee.
Today, I wish to bring to the attention of this august Assembly a matter of profound constitutional and institutional significance.
As you are aware, under the provisions of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, a Committee of Inquiry was appointed to investigate and report on the grounds for the removal of the current Inspector General of Police (IGP).
I have now received the formal findings of the Committee, duly constituted in accordance with the Act. In this connection, I wish to place on record our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the distinguished Members of the Committee for their diligence, integrity, and commitment to the rule of law:
Hon. Justice Padman Surasena, Judge of the Supreme Court – Chairman
Hon. Justice Neil Iddawala, Judge of the Court of Appeal
Member
Mr. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman, National Police Commission – Member
This Committee, having conducted its inquiries has unanimously found the officer in question guilty of the allegations brought against him, in accordance with Section 8(2) of the Act.
This marks a historic moment in our constitutional journey – the first time in the history of the Republic of Sri Lanka that such a committee has submitted its findings recommending the removal of an Inspector General of Police under the provisions of the law enacted by Parliament.
As mandated under Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, I am obliged – and hereby undertake – to place the finding of guilt in the form of a resolution in the Order Paper of Parliament for the consideration and vote of this House.
Further, for the information of Honourable Members and in the interest of transparency and public accountability, I have directed the Secretary General of Parliament, to table the Committee’s Report as a Parliamentary Paper, and arrangements will be made for Members to receive copies in all three official languages in due course. I also intend to authorize its release to the general public, mindful of the public interest and the fundamental importance of upholding the trust reposed in institutions.
This Parliament, representing the sovereign will of the people, now bears the solemn responsibility of considering the resolution to give effect to the Committee’s findings. The House shall be notified in due course of the scheduled date for debate and vote.
Let me reiterate that in executing this duty, we uphold the values of constitutional governance, institutional accountability, and the supremacy of the law – principles that are foundational to a functioning democracy.
I urge Honourable Members to approach the forthcoming proceedings with the dignity, objectivity, and responsibility they demand.
Accordingly, I table the report of the said committee of inquiry only in English language with the special leave of the House and the soft copy of the Report in English language will be uploaded to the Parliament website for easy reference.
The Hon. Leader of the House of Parliament :
To move “that the report be printed in all three languages after having obtained the Sinhala and Tamil translations.” (Newswire)