Lawyers’ Collective raises alarm over appointment of Acting IGP amidst pending lawsuits

Colombo (LNW): The Lawyers’ Collective has sounded alarm bells over the appointment of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon as the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), highlighting several pending cases against him.

Former President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Upul Jayasuriya PC vehemently questioned the Constitutional Council’s approval of Tennakoon’s appointment as Acting IGP, considering the pending case before the Supreme Court involving the alleged torture of an ex-army soldier.

Expressing deep concern during a media conference organized by the Lawyers’ Collective, Jayasuriya emphasised that the recent Supreme Court judgment revealed acting IGP Tennakoon’s ongoing legal challenges, eroding public confidence in his role.

He underscored that it is the Attorney General’s duty to bring charges against Tennakoon and others under the Torture Act, as they were found guilty of torturing an individual several years ago.

Prof. Savitri Goonesekere raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Tennakoon’s appointment by the President and subsequent approval by the Constitutional Council.

The Lawyers’ Collective issued a compelling call to the President and the Constitutional Council to prioritise public trust, emphasising that the integrity and eligibility of individuals for high office should not be compromised.