Six elite police teams have been deployed with the task of arresting the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently absconding and evading arrest.

It is interesting to note that generally the elite Police teams put into action to arrest the most wanted persons in the past. Whereas in Sri Lanka , the `top cop’ the Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennekoon is on the run and six special teams comprising elite law enforcement officials are now tasked with arresting the former Inspector General of Police. The Police Department has announced that the day and night search to nab the former IGP was currently in progress.

The search operation has been going on for the past several days following a warrant for Tennakoon’s arrest was issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court on February 28, following his alleged involvement in a shooting incident which occurred outside a hotel in Pelena, Matara, on December 31, 2023. Following the arrest warrant authorities have imposed a foreign travel ban on former IGP Tennakoon, preventing him from leaving the country in the backdrop of Police search operation is currently intensified to nab him.

Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, reiterated the government’s commitment to maintain the law and order and pointed out that anyone in the Island challenging the law of the land will be severely dealt with. He also went on to say that the assets of those who found medaling with the law and order will also be seized regardless of their social status.

In the meantime the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon who is on the run has filed a writ petition at the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest. The former IGP’s writ petition has come up following the intensity of the search operation to arrest him. However the pertinent question has come up that if the former IGP could file a writ petition to evade his arrest from his hideout, why can’t the special Police teams nab him easily?

The petition has been filed at the Court of Appeal by his lawyers. The former IGP has requested to issue a stay order to prevent his arrest. Earlier the arrest order has been issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court recently for the arrest of the former IGP in connection with a shooting incident which took place in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

Earlier, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, had announced that six police teams have been assigned to locate his hide out and arrest Tennakoon. According to Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, announced that six police teams have been assigned to locate and arrest former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

The Minister further mentioned that relevant investigations are currently being conducted to find out his hideout. The Matara Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon on February 28. Following the court order and the search operation, the former IGP Deshabandu Tennekoon has also been banned from travelling abroad. The International Air Ports and the Sea Ports have also been alerted to be vigilant over any attempt by the former IGP who could even try to escape from the country in disguise as well as using fake travel documents.

Meanwhile, the Government has even warned that the former top cop’s assets would also be seized by the Government if he continues to disrespect the arrest warrant and evade arrest. The Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, has confirmed the Government’s decision of steps taken to seize the properties of individuals who evade court orders.

He reiterated that rank or position does not exempt anyone from the law. It is for the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka’s Police Department which was founded during the British regime in the country, the head of the Police Department, the IGP is on the run to evade arrest. The opinions have also surfaced pointing out that the search for the country’s top cop highlights the sad state of the law and order situation and the future of the law enforcement activities in the Island.