Lanka parliament sacks disgraced police chief

Sri Lanka's parliament yesterday voted overwhelmingly to dismiss Police Chief Deshabandu Tennakoon for misconduct and criminal behaviour, making him the island's first inspector-general to be impeached.

Tennakoon, 54, was removed less than two years after his controversial appointment, with a disciplinary committee finding him unfit to lead its 85,000-strong law enforcement body.

Tennakoon was appointed in November 2023 by then-president Ranil Wickremesinghe, despite the Supreme Court having previously ruled that he had tortured a suspect in custody by rubbing menthol balm on his genitals.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told parliament yesterday that Tennakoon should never have been put in the top job, given that he faced 40 court cases for abuse of power.

"He is the most disgraced police chief in the history of our country," Wijepala said.

Parliament backed a resolution by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne to impeach Tennakoon, following a disciplinary hearing led by a Supreme Court judge and two others.

"I am pleased to inform that the motion to impeach Deshabandu Tennakoon has been approved with 177 votes in favour, and none against," Wickramaratne said.

Members of the main opposition SJB party also voted to remove the police chief.

Shortly after his appointment to head the force, Tennakoon was accused of authorising a botched raid in December 2023 that led to a gun battle between rival police units in the coastal resort town of Weligama, resulting in the death of an officer.

A disciplinary inquiry found that Tennakoon had "spearheaded the questionable, illegal act of shooting".

The Supreme Court suspended him in July 2024 pending the outcome of a separate case.

In March, the state prosecutor told a court that Tennakoon was operating a paramilitary hit squad to carry out illegal activities and was unfit to serve, even at the lowest rank in the police force.