SC stays Appeal Court ruling on naming Deshabandu a suspect

Colombo, July 22 (Daily Mirror) - The Supreme Court today stayed a ruling by the Court of Appeal that had invalidated a directive from the Attorney General to the police to name IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as a suspect over the May 9, 2022 Galle Face attacks.

The Supreme Court three-judge bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Sampath Abeykoon made this order following a leave to appeal petition filed by the Attorney General.

The Court also overruled a preliminary objection raised by President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva who appeared for Deshabandu Tennakoon, arguing that the caption relating to the respondents had not been amended as required.

Meanwhile, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath, appearing for the Attorney General, informed court that the Attorney General is constitutionally empowered to issue legal advice to law enforcement agencies when requested, and that such advice was provided in this instance upon the request by police.

In the appeal, the Attorney General is seeking an order to set aside the Court of Appeal judgment which annulled his earlier communication instructing the Police to name Deshabandu Tennakoon as a suspect.

The Attorney General had advised that Tennakoon be named a suspect for allegedly abetting the commission of offences punishable under Sections 314, 316, 343 and 300 of the Penal Code.