Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has rejected former minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s claims that the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) presented to Parliament against suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon was unconstitutional.
Speaking during a televised interview, Minister Nanayakkara said that former minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has wrongly interpreted several key facts, explaining that the Supreme Court has only issued orders preventing Deshabandu Tennakoon from executing his duties as the IGP.
“The FR before the Supreme Court challenges Tennakoon’s appointment on the grounds that it was unlawful. The Supreme Court in no way has said that he is not the IGP. It has only prevented him from executing his duties in that designation. This ruling has been given as he is considered the IGP. This case is solely on the grounds of unlawful appointment. This defeats Wijeyadasa’s claims that Tennakoon is not the IGP,” he said.
The Justice Minister further explained that, on the other hand, the NCM has been submitted against Deshabandu Tennakoon’s misconduct.
“The FR at the Supreme Court is on Tennakoon’s unlawful appointment, while the NCM is against his conduct. Therefore, this is not considered sub judice. This entire case is different. This again proves that Wijeyadasa’s claim is wrong. Therefore, as the government, what we have done is correct,” he said.
Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said that the NCM is being taken forward based on legal advice.
His comments came after Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, during a recent media briefing, said the NCM has been submitted at a time when the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has issued an order determining that Deshabandu Tennakoon does not hold the post of IGP.
“An NCM can be submitted only against someone holding the post of IGP. The Supreme Court has already issued an order determining that Deshabandu Tennakoon was not the IGP. Therefore, the Speaker accepting the NCM is unconstitutional,” he said.
Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe further said that a Supreme Court judge would be required to be appointed to the committee investigating corruption allegations against Deshabandu Tennakoon.
“While the Supreme Court itself has determined that Deshabandu Tennakoon is not the IGP, on the other hand, an investigation will be conducted to remove him from the post. This is an act that does not have any legal backing,” he said, adding that the move undermines both the Parliament and the judiciary.
A resolution to appoint a committee of inquiry for the removal of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon was handed over to the Speaker of Parliament, Jagath Wickramaratne, on 25 March 2025.
The resolution was signed by 115 Members of Parliament. (Newswire)