Opposition MP Mujibur Rahuman on Tuesday told Parliament that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) supports the motion to remove Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.
“We are with the decision to remove Deshabandu,” MP Rahuman said during the parliamentary debate, affirming the party’s position ahead of the scheduled vote at 4 p.m.
The motion, brought under the Removal of Officers Act No. 5 of 2002, seeks to dismiss Tennakoon based on findings of serious misconduct, abuse of power, and criminal complicity. The special committee appointed by the Constitutional Council had earlier concluded that Tennakoon is unfit to hold any post within the police service.
SJB, the main opposition party, had previously opposed Tennakoon’s appointment and challenged it in court. Party leader Sajith Premadasa condemned the decision to appoint him as IGP, calling it unconstitutional and demanding accountability from then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Speaker.
Tennakoon was suspended by the Supreme Court in July last year and is currently on bail in connection with a 2023 shooting incident in Weligama.
He was first appointed acting IGP in November 2023 and confirmed in the post in February 2024.
If the resolution is passed later today, it will mark the first time a sitting police chief has been removed through a parliamentary vote in Sri Lanka’s history. (Newswire)