Parliament Approves Motion to Remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon
In a historic move, the Sri Lankan Parliament has passed a resolution to remove Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from office. The motion was adopted with 177 votes in favor, none against, and one abstention.
The resolution, debated under Section 17 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, was presented to Parliament today (August 5) by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne. Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala initiated the debate, which continued until 4:00 p.m., culminating in a vote requiring a simple majority of 113 votes to pass.
This decision follows a damning report by a Committee of Inquiry, which found Tennakoon guilty of gross abuse of power. The Committee, appointed to investigate multiple allegations against the suspended IGP, concluded unanimously that he should be removed from office under Section 8(2) of the Removal of Officers Act.
Speaker Wickramaratne described the event as unprecedented, noting that this is the first time in Sri Lanka’s constitutional history that such a Committee has recommended the dismissal of a sitting IGP.
Following the successful passage of the resolution, the President is now expected to nominate a new candidate for the position of Inspector-General of Police. This nomination will be submitted to the Constitutional Council for approval.
The removal of IGP Tennakoon marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s efforts to uphold accountability and transparency within the country’s highest law enforcement body.
