The Committee of Inquiry appointed to investigate allegations of gross abuse of power against suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon has dismissed all preliminary objections raised on his behalf, according to the Department of Communications of Parliament.
The committee, chaired by Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena and comprising Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawala and E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake, Chairman of the National Police Commission, convened yesterday (May 19) in Parliament. IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon appeared before the committee for the first time.
During the hearing, a charge sheet comprising 23 charges was formally handed over to the IGP. Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama, appearing on behalf of the respondent IGP, submitted three preliminary objections along with two requests.
Representing the Attorney General’s Department, Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera opposed the submissions.
After considering the arguments, the committee unanimously decided to reject the preliminary objections and proceed with the inquiry.
The next hearing has been scheduled for May 28 at 2:00 p.m.
