NPP submits motion to remove Deshabandu

By Ajith Siriwardana

The parliamentary group of the National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday handed over a motion to the Speaker in Parliament, which sought the removal of suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of IGP.   

Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe told reporters that the motion signed by 115 MPs of the NPP was handed over to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne under the provisions of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002.   

He said the Act provides for the removal of the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the motion was handed over to the Speaker under the provisions of the Act. 

The Deputy Minister said they handed over the motion citing allegations of misconduct and corruption, gross abuse of power of his office, gross neglect of duty and gross partiality in office against Tennakoon.   

Motion signed by 115 NPP MPs submitted under Removal Of Officers (Procedure) Act  

He said according to the Act, Speaker is expected to appoint a Committee of Inquiry consisting of three members, a Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice as the Chair, Chairman of the Police Commission and a person who has reached eminence in the field of law or management of public administration, appointed by the Speaker with the concurrence of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to inquire and report its findings in respect of the alleged grounds, on which the removal is being sought.

Upon receipt of the findings of the Committee where a finding of guilt has been arrived at, the Speaker place such finding in the form of a resolution in the Order Paper of Parliament for the removal of the IGP from office and the resolution placed on the Order Paper in terms of section 17 shall be dealt with in accordance with the Standing Orders of Parliament.   

IGP can be removed by the President after resolution moved by Speaker passed by majority in Parliament   

Upon the majority of Members of Parliament (including those not present) voting in favour of the resolution, the IGP shall be removed from office by the President.   

The Deputy Minister said the Speaker will act immediately on the motion and that they expect the opposition would also support it in Parliament.