The Committee of Inquiry investigating suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon over alleged acts of gross abuse of power has dismissed the preliminary objections submitted on his behalf, the Parliamentary Communications Department stated.

The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and National Police Commission Chairman E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, convened in Parliament yesterday (19). IGP Tennakoon appeared before the committee for the first time.

During the hearing, a charge sheet containing 23 charges was officially presented to Tennakoon. His legal representative, Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama, submitted three preliminary objections and two additional requests.

However, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, objected to these submissions.

After reviewing the facts, the committee unanimously dismissed all preliminary objections and resolved to proceed with the investigation.

The next hearing is scheduled for 28 May at 2.00 p.m.