Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has filed a writ petition with the Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing his arrest.

The petition, filed through his legal representatives, has requested that an interim injunction be issued to stay the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court had recently issued a warrant for the arrest of the former IGP in connection with a shooting incident that 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 and arrest Tennakoon.

(Previous news 2025 March 10 -11.59.a.m.)

Six police teams assigned to arrest Deshabandu

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 ongoing.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon on February 28.

This warrant is related to the investigation into the shooting incident that occurred in front of a hotel in the Pelena area of Matara on December 31, 2023.

Following the court order, the former IGP has also been banned from travelling abroad.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, stated yesterday that steps will be taken to seize the properties of individuals who evade court orders.

He emphasized that rank or position does not exempt anyone from the law.