Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon remains elusive and is evading arrest for the ninth consecutive day. Despite ongoing investigations and public appeals, the police have yet to locate their former chief.
Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manathunga, addressed the situation on Thursday, warning that legal action would be taken against anyone assisting Tennakoon in evading the law. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and any person found aiding his escape will face legal consequences.
“Investigations have not indicated that Deshabandu Tennakoon has left the country,” Manathunga said, adding that a flight ban has been enforced to prevent him from fleeing abroad.
Multiple police teams have been deployed in a bid to apprehend the former IGP. The public has been urged to come forward with any information regarding his whereabouts to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Tennakoon’s escape comes after a Court order was issued for his arrest in connection with a shooting incident near the W15 Hotel in Weligama on December 31, 2023.
The incident occurred when a team of Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) officers, in civilian clothing, said they were attacked from within the hotel by those connected to notorious underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, also known as ‘Harak Kata.’ The officers returned fire in self-defence.
Soon after, a mobile patrol vehicle from the Weligama Police Station arrived at the scene and mistakenly opened fire on the CCD officers’ van, believing it was transporting criminals.
As a result of the confusion, the van had fled the area, but not before two CCD officers inside had been injured by gunfire. One of the officers, 47-year-old Police Sergeant Upul Chaminda Kumara, later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing medical treatment. Tennekoon is charged with giving an illegal order to the CCD team.
Despite the police’s appeals to the public, no substantial leads have emerged. The authorities have continued to search locations where Tennakoon may be hiding, using phone records and intelligence gathered from various sources.
“The fact that he held the office of the Inspector General of Police does not exempt him from the law. We are treating this case as we would any other fugitive,” a police source said.
