Legal action for aiding ex-IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as police intensify manhunt

By Chaminda Silva

Legal action would be taken against anyone who assists former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon in evading arrest, Police Media Spokesman, Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manathunga, told journalists on Thursday. A warrant has been issued for his arrest, and any individual found aiding him in hiding will also be held accountable under the law.

Investigations have not indicated that Deshabandu Tennakoon has left the country, and a flight ban has been imposed to prevent him from travelling abroad. Multiple police teams have been deployed to arrest the former police chief, and the public has been urged to provide any information regarding his whereabouts to the Criminal Investigation Department. He is currently evading the law, and authorities will proceed with his arrest under the same legal procedures applicable to any suspect failing to comply with a court order.

Between January and 05 March this year, 19 shooting incidents have been reported, of which 12 were carried out by organised criminal gangs. The remaining seven were linked to personal disputes. A total of 68 suspects have been arrested in connection with these crimes. Six T-56 assault rifles used in the shootings have been recovered, along with two pistols and five other firearms, which are now in police custody.

Police have also seized eight motorcycles, two cars, a van and two three-wheelers used in these incidents in recent months.