Deshabandu Fights Back, Claims Arrest Attempt Politically Motivated – Key Points from Writ Petition

Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking to quash an arrest order issued against him in connection with a shooting incident in Weligama on 31 December 2023. The petition, filed on 7 March, claims that the arrest order was politically motivated and legally flawed.

Tennakoon named multiple respondents in his petition, including Matara Magistrate B.A. Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa (1st Respondent), Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya (2nd Respondent), Deputy Inspector General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) P. Ampawila (3rd Respondent), Assistant Superintendent of Police at CID D.R. Wijekoon (4th Respondent), Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijayapala (5th Respondent), Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security D.W.R.B. Seneviratne (6th Respondent), and former CID Director Shani Abeysekara (7th Respondent). The Attorney General (8th Respondent) and several other senior police officers are also listed as respondents.

Tennakoon claims that the investigation against him is being driven by personal and political motives, particularly by the 6th and 7th Respondents, whom he accuses of seeking revenge over past legal actions against them. He alleges that both individuals have been seen actively supporting the National People’s Power (NPP) and have used their influence to direct the CID’s actions against him.

He further argues that the CID’s investigation into the Weligama shooting is compromised by their political connections and should be transferred to an independent body.

Tennakoon contends that the Magistrate’s Court order for his arrest was issued without due process, as he was never summoned for questioning. He also states that he only became aware of the arrest order through media reports. The petition claims that the timing of the arrest order—just before a weekend—was a deliberate attempt to prevent him from seeking legal recourse.

The petition seeks multiple writs, including:

A Writ of Certiorari to quash the decision to investigate and arrest him.
A Writ of Prohibition preventing the CID from pursuing further investigations against him.
A Writ of Mandamus directing that any inquiry into the Weligama incident be handled by an independent investigative body.
A Stay Order to prevent his arrest until the case is concluded.
A Writ of Certiorari to nullify the decision to conduct an investigation through the CID against him regarding the Weligama incident.
A Writ of Prohibition preventing the 6th and 7th Respondents from being directly or indirectly involved in any investigation against him.
A Writ of Mandamus ensuring that any investigation against him is fair, independent, and impartial.
A Stay Order suspending any further CID-led investigations into the Weligama case until a final court ruling is made.

Tennakoon argues that his arrest would cause irreparable damage to his career, reputation, and future in law enforcement. He maintains that he is willing to cooperate with any independent investigation and denies any wrongdoing.