Parliament yesterday (05) passed a resolution to remove IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from office, marking the first time in Sri Lanka’s history that a sitting police chief has been ousted through a parliamentary vote.
The motion, brought under the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, received overwhelming support, with the ruling party, the main Opposition SJB, the NPP, and others, voting in favour. Altogether 177 MPs voted for the resolution, none voted against, while Jaffna District Independent MP Ramanadan Archuna abstained.
The motion was presented to the House by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala opening the debate on behalf of the government. Wijepala described Tennakoon as “the most disgraceful person to hold the office of IGP” and cited findings from a three-member committee that found him guilty of serious misconduct and abuse of power.
The vote was taken at 4:00 p.m., with all government MPs instructed to be present. Under the law, a simple majority (113 votes) is required to remove an officer under this procedure.
With the resolution passed, the President is expected to propose a successor to the Constitutional Council for appointment as the next IGP.
The decision follows a July 22 report by the special Committee of Inquiry appointed by the Constitutional Council, which unanimously found Tennakoon guilty under Section 8(2) of the Removal of Officers Act. Speaker Wickramaratne described the development as a constitutional milestone and ordered the Committee’s findings to be tabled in Parliament.
Tennakoon had been suspended by the Supreme Court in July 2023 and is currently out on bail over a shooting incident in Weligama. He was first named acting IGP in November 2023 and confirmed in the position in February this year, despite criticism from several quarters.
The SJB, which had legally challenged Tennakoon’s appointment, reiterated its opposition yesterday. MP Mujibur Rahuman told the House the party backed the motion “to remove Deshabandu,” aligning with its longstanding call for police accountability. Party leader Sajith Premadasa had earlier condemned the appointment as unconstitutional and held both President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Speaker responsible.
Tensions flared in the House when SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa questioned the legality of debating the motion, citing Standing Order 98F, which bars Parliament from discussing matters under judicial consideration. He pointed out that nine related cases were pending before the Supreme Court.
Speaker Wickramaratne countered that the motion had been scheduled in accordance with legal provisions and parliamentary procedure. When Rajapaksa persisted, the Speaker ruled him out of order and instructed him to yield the floor.
The resolution was based on the Committee’s damning assessment that Tennakoon is unfit to hold any position within the police service, citing criminal complicity, abuse of authority, and grave professional misconduct.
By Saman Indrajith