Matara Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Nishantha Soysa has requested protection, citing threats to his life after providing a statement to investigators probing suspended Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.
DIG Soysa has formally written to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses, and the Police’s Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division, seeking security measures.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris, PC, also informed the Matara Magistrate’s Court about the death threats faced by DIG Soysa when bail was granted to Deshabandu Tennakoon on April 10.
Following this, Matara Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa ordered that DIG Soysa be provided with the necessary protection.
DIG Soysa reportedly received death threats after giving a statement to investigators, alleging that Mr. Tennakoon had contacted him to obtain information regarding the W15 Hotel prior to the shooting incident that occurred near the premises on December 31, 2023.
In a separate development, the Matara Magistrate has directed the Attorney General to file contempt of court charges against Mr. Tennakoon. This follows allegations that Mr. Tennakoon brought a vehicle into the court premises after being granted bail, despite the court rejecting such a request. The Magistrate has further ordered police to investigate whether any individuals assisted in allowing the vehicle to enter the premises, despite a ban on outsiders’ vehicles.
Meanwhile, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has appointed a four-member police team to assist the Committee of Inquiry (CoI) investigating the allegations against Mr. Tennakoon. The team will be led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) P. Rohan Wijayakoon.
Additionally, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, PC, has nominated ASG Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera to assist the CoI.
The Committee of Inquiry is chaired by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, with other members including Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Neil Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman Lalith Ekanayake.
The CoI has already convened twice in Parliament and made several decisions. It is scheduled to meet again tomorrow (28) in Parliament.
The Sunday Times understands that the CoI has decided to first focus on investigating the charges against Mr. Tennakoon before proceeding to a formal inquiry.
