Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa stated in Parliament today (5 August) that he would abstain from voting — both as an MP and as an individual — on the proposal to remove Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, citing the ongoing court proceedings related to the matter.
Participating in the parliamentary debate on the proposal to remove Tennakoon, Rajapaksa emphasised that under Standing Order 98F, Parliament cannot take up for debate a matter that is currently before a court of law.
He pointed out that there are nine cases pending before the Supreme Court regarding the removal of Tennakoon from his post and noted that the Speaker must ensure that the outcome of these judicial proceedings is not influenced by a parliamentary debate.
Accordingly, he requested that a clear statement be made before commencing the debate, ensuring that it would not interfere with the judicial process.
Responding to this, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena clarified that the debate had been scheduled after a careful study of the relevant Standing Orders and procedures, and therefore, it would proceed as planned.
Despite this explanation, Rajapaksa reiterated that debating the proposal while the matter is sub judice could be problematic. He insisted that it must be legally justified. A heated exchange subsequently erupted between him and Speaker Jagath Wickramanayake over the matter.
During his speech, Rajapaksa also made controversial remarks regarding certain allegations against Deshabandu Tennakoon. Referring to a rumour circulating that Tennakoon had tortured a youth using Siddhalepa — a popular local medicinal balm — he questioned, “Who actually saw Deshabandu applying Siddhalepa on someone? Who can verify this?”
Further criticising the government, Rajapaksa accused it of politicising the police service. He alleged that politically motivated transfers of Officers-in-Charge (OICs) were taking place and that the recruitment of Sub-Inspectors (SIs) had been deliberately stalled. These actions, he claimed, undermine the independence and effectiveness of the police force.
Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra who spoke after Rajapaksa, cited Supreme Court verdict and read the parts related to Deshabandu Tennakoon’s involvement in torturing a youth using Siddhalepa on his genitalia.
