Suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon arrived at the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (19) morning, Sri Lanka Police confirmed.

His court appearance is linked to a shooting incident near the W15 Hotel in Weligama on 31 December 2023.

Earlier, a joint operation was launched under the direct supervision of the Acting IGP to arrest Tennakoon and those aiding him in evading capture.

On 28 February, Matara Magistrate Aruna Buddhadasa ordered the arrest of Tennakoon and eight others based on CID findings. Following further submissions, the court issued an open warrant for his arrest.

On 7 March, Tennakoon filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal, seeking an interim order to suspend the Matara Magistrate Court’s directive. However, after hearing arguments on 17 March, a panel led by Acting President of the Court of Appeal Justice Mohammed Laffar Tahir and Justice Sarath Disanayake dismissed his motion.