Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has been granted bail by the Matara Magistrate’s Court, a short while ago.

Tennakoon was released on bail under two sureties of Rs. 10 million each

Tennakoon had been remanded in connection with a shooting incident that occurred near the W15 Hotel in Pelena, Weligama, Matara, on 31 December 2023. The court had previously ordered his continued remand until 10 April.

The former IGP, who had been evading arrest for nearly 20 days, surrendered to the Matara Magistrate’s Court on 19 March by submitting a motion. He had been named as a suspect along with seven other police officers, including former members of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), in relation to the incident.

Following the shooting, the Matara Magistrate issued arrest warrants for all eight suspects and instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to apprehend and produce them in court.

On 17 March, the Court of Appeal dismissed a writ petition filed by Tennakoon, in which he sought an interim injunction to prevent the execution of the arrest warrant. The court directed the CID to take immediate action to arrest and present him before the magistrate.