‘Catch me if you can’

Six CID teams still pursue Deshabandu Tennakoon

Attorney General delays arrests of 5 others except Tennakoon

Court of Appeal to decide on Tennakoon’s writ petition today

CID records statements from Tennakoon’s family members 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Six teams from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are still conducting their investigations to arrest the suspended Inspector General of Police, Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is evading arrest following a court order.  

On February 27, 2025, the Matara Magistrate’s Court issued an arrest order for six suspects, including Tennakoon and the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Colombo Crime Division, Anslem De Silva, in relation to a shooting incident that occurred on December 31, 2023, in front of a hotel at Weligama. 

The police said that a copy of the arrest order was forwarded to the CID, and after notifying the Attorney General and Acting Inspector General of Police, an instruction for the suspects’ arrest was issued.   However, after Tennakoon filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal to challenge the Matara Magistrate’s Court order, the Court of Appeal agreed to review the petition and deliver its decision on Monday, March 17.

The six suspects, including the OIC of the CCD, have requested the Court of Appeal to prevent their arrest.   

Following discussions between the Attorney General and the petitioners’ legal representatives, the Attorney General has instructed the CID to delay the arrests until preliminary investigations are concluded, with the suspects required to appear at the CID for questioning.  

This writ petition is scheduled for a hearing on March 21, 2025, in the Court of Appeal.  

Meanwhile, CID officers have recorded statements from Tennakoon’s wife and son. Sources said that the CID recently visited Tennakoon’s residence in Hokandara to collect information from his family members.