Sri Lanka‘s Parliament has voted to fire the country’s police chief, Deshabandu Tennakoon, for misconduct and gross abuse of power. The move comes after a commission found Tennakoon guilty of 19 charges related to misconduct and abuse of power. Lawmakers voted unanimously, with one member abstaining, to sack Tennakoon, who was accused of sending a team of armed officers on a botched raid in 2023 in Weligama that triggered a gun battle with a separate police unit, leading to the death of an officer.
The parliament-appointed committee that investigated the allegations against Tennakoon found that he had “spearheaded the questionable, illegal act of shooting” at the W15 hotel in Weligama, where a local police unit opened fire on a team sent by Tennakoon to intimidate the hotel’s owner. A state prosecutor told the committee that the police chief was running a “criminal network” and was unfit to serve, even at the lowest ranks.
Tennakoon’s appointment as police chief in 2023 was met with protests from opposition lawmakers and civil rights activists who said he was not fit for the post. Before his appointment, Sri Lanka’s highest court had ruled that he tortured a suspect in custody by rubbing menthol balm on his genitals. The 54-year-old is the first head of police in the island’s history to be dismissed.
The impeachment process was initiated last month, and there has been no reaction from Tennakoon since then. The decision to fire him marks a significant development in Sri Lanka’s efforts to hold its law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions.
The dismissal of Deshabandu Tennakoon as police chief is a significant development in Sri Lanka’s efforts to hold its law enforcement agencies accountable for their actions. The move is seen as a crucial step towards restoring public trust in the police force and promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.
As the country continues to grapple with various challenges, including crime and corruption, the need for effective and responsible leadership in the police force has never been more pressing. Tennakoon’s removal from office sends a strong message that those in positions of power will be held accountable for their actions, and it remains to be seen how the new leadership will shape the future of the police force.