Matara Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa today ordered legal action against individuals who aided and abetted suspended Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon in evading arrest.
The decision follows a Court of Appeal ruling that strongly condemned Tennakoon’s actions.
On March 17, the Court of Appeal dismissed Tennakoon’s writ petition seeking to prevent the execution of an arrest order issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court in connection with a shooting incident.
The court then directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take immediate steps to arrest Tennakoon and present him before the court.
Tennakoon was wanted over a 2023 shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama, involving officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force.
The incident resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another, with investigations alleging Tennakoon’s involvement.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on February 28, 2025, along with an international travel ban. Despite this, he evaded capture, prompting the launch of a joint-special operation to capture Tennakoon. (Newswire)