The Committee of Inquiry (CoI) to inquire and report its findings on suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon against acts of gross abuse of power convened yesterday (June 03) at the Parliamentary complex.

Representatives of the Attorney General’s Department handed over witnesses’ affidavits to Tennakoon’s legal team.

The committee is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and includes Justice W\.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman E.D.M. Lalith Ekanayake.

During the session, Additional Solicitor General President’s Counsel Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, representing the Attorney General’s Department, informed the committee that they had visited the residence of Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama, who represents Deshabandu Tennakoon, to hand over 12 affidavits from witnesses.

Additionally, affidavits from 10 witnesses were handed over to Deshabandu Tennakoon’s legal team when the committee convened. Representatives of the Department also stated that the remaining affidavits are expected to be presented during the next committee session.

Accordingly, the legal team representing the IGP requested that, as previously agreed, all affidavits of the witnesses be handed over to them.

Following clarifications from both sides, the committee stated that providing copies of six more affidavits to Tennakoon’s legal team was appropriate.

After both parties expressed agreement, the committee also granted permission for two additional affidavits to be read in private within the Parliament premises on a mutually convenient date and time.

The committee also decided to hand over a compact disc (CD) containing a media interview, submitted as another piece of evidence, to Tennakoon’s legal team. Representatives of the Attorney General’s Department have facilitated this handover, the statement from the Department of Communications of Parliament said.

The legal team representing Deshabandu Tennakoon is scheduled to present its position regarding these affidavits at the next committee session to be held on June 09.

The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with 02 petitions seeking a ruling that former President and then-Finance Minister – Ranil Wickremesinghe had violated fundamental rights by issuing liquor licenses in breach of the Excise Ordinance following the announcement of the 2024 Presidential Election.

The petitions, filed by Matale-based businessman Thangavelu Dhanendra Raja and others, allege that liquor licenses were issued unlawfully between July 26 (when the election was announced) and September 21 (the date of the election), including one granted to the 19-year-old son of former Minister Shantha Bandara.

The petitioners claim these licenses were given to political allies for electoral gain.

The Supreme Court bench – comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Mahinda Samayawardena – ordered the current Commissioner General of Excise to submit details of all liquor licenses issued during the relevant period and in previous years.

Respondents include several persons including Ranil Wickremesinghe, Finance Secretary – Mahinda Siriwardena and former Excise Commissioner M.J. Gunasiri.

President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena and Saliya Peiris, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the issuance of licenses was politically motivated.

They also noted that the Sri Lanka Liquor Licensees’ Association had also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission.

However, Additional Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, representing the Attorney General, argued that the petitions were filed outside the legal time frame and that the petitioners had withheld material facts.

She also stated that the excise regulations in question had since been repealed.

The court scheduled the next hearing for Nov. 19.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Education says a unique data file will be created for every student entering the school system, along with the introduction of an Unique Identity Card.

This decision was made during a discussion held on June 02 under the patronage of Prime Minister and Minister – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, focused on developing a National Education Data Management System as part of the education transformation planned for 2026.

The system will compile comprehensive information on students – including birth certificate details, exam results, skills, and competencies – as well as data on academic and non-academic staff and schools.

The Prime Minister stated that this centralized data platform will streamline school admissions, identify teacher and principal vacancies, manage appointments, transfers and promotions, support continuous student evaluation, and assist in the development of school infrastructure.

It is proposed to initially implement the system for students entering Grades 01 and 06 from next year.

The Sri Lanka Air Force’s Information Technology Division will support the development of this national data system.