In a controversial move, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has decided to review a Supreme Court injunction preventing Deshbandu Tennakoon from serving as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Petitions before the Supreme Court challenged Tennakoon’s appointment, citing an unconstitutional process and questioning his fitness for the role. The Court issued an interim order after a thorough inquiry, which the Government has chosen to review rather than immediately comply with.
Issuing a statement, President of the Young Journalists Association, Tharindu Jayawardhana criticized the Cabinet’s decision, emphasizing the need for prompt action in nominating a suitable candidate for the position.
Jayawardhana warned that continued defiance of court orders jeopardizes the rule of law and the country’s well-being. He urged the Government to respect the judiciary and act within the legal framework to resolve the matter swiftly.
Full statement :
Cabinet decision on Supreme Court ruling a challenge to Sri Lanka’s Rule of Law!
We view the decision by the Cabinet of Ministers to take two days to review the Supreme Court’s injunction order preventing Deshbandu Tennakoon from serving as the Inspector General of Police, as an act that undermines the law and judicial system of Sri Lanka.
The petitions filed before the Supreme Court challenge the unconstitutional nomination of a person deemed unfit to serve in the Sri Lanka Police as Inspector General. These petitions question his referral to the Constitutional Council and his subsequent appointment as Inspector General of Police by the President, based on an unauthorized letter from the Speaker without the due approval of the Constitutional Council.
This is a serious situation that should not be taken lightly. Instead of respecting the interim order issued by the Apex Court after a thorough inquiry, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to take two days to formulate the Government’s opinion on the matter. At this point, the Government’s opinion is unnecessary. Instead, the President should promptly nominate a suitable candidate for the position and submit it to the Constitutional Council.
Failure to do so, and instead having the administration led by the President act in defiance of court orders, not only challenges the rule of law but also jeopardizes the well-being of the country.
The President, along with several members of the Cabinet, are legal counsels. Therefore acting arbitrarily in this manner is unsuited to their legal profession.
Therefore, without further undermining the rule of law in the country, we urge the Government to immediately appoint a suitable person as the Acting Inspector General of Police. We stress that if the Government continues to act arbitrarily, the Young Journalists Association will not hesitate to take all possible measures against it within the framework of the law.
Tharindu Jayawardhana
President
Young Journalists Association