(Lanka-e-News -25.March.2025, 10.55 PM) In a twist straight out of a political thriller (or perhaps a slapstick comedy), the Sri Lankan Parliament is now tasked with deciding the fate of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. If you haven’t been following the saga, here’s a quick recap: the country’s top cop, tasked with upholding law and order, allegedly went full-on paramilitary mode at the W15 hotel, attempting to settle a personal vendetta. The fallout? He ended up evading the very legal system he was supposed to serve for almost 20 days. Yes, you read that right—the IGP of Sri Lanka, the nation’s chief law enforcer, was literally on the run from his own police force.
When he finally resurfaced, it wasn’t exactly a quiet return. He marched into court flanked by an army of 50 lawyers, making it less of a legal proceeding and more of a grand theatrical entrance. One could almost hear an epic soundtrack playing in the background.
Deshabandu’s colorful backstory makes this entire debacle even more absurd. Once a Buddhist monk, he left the monastic life behind—robes and all—to join the police force. Fast forward a few years, and this ex-monk-turned-cop reportedly had an impressive collection of liquor stashed in his house. A monk-turned-alcoholic with a penchant for power and money? Even scriptwriters in Hollywood would struggle to come up with such a character.
Now, Parliament is stepping in, with 115 Members of Parliament signing a resolution to appoint a committee of inquiry for his removal. This motion was submitted to the Speaker under Section 5 of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act No. 5 of 2002.
Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, and Members of Parliament (Dr.) (Ms.) Kaushalya Ariyarathne and U.P. Abeywickrama, Attorney-at-Law, were present to hand over the resolution. The gravity of the moment was clear—but so was the irony.
At the end of the day, this whole situation begs the question: how does a man go from monkhood to allegedly hoarding liquor, launching paramilitary-style attacks, and then hiding from his own police force? Deshabandu’s story isn’t just a case study in police misconduct—it’s practically a full-blown crime novel in the making.
Now, Sri Lanka watches as Parliament decides whether to finally write the final chapter of this surreal political saga. Stay tuned for the next episode—who knows, it might be even more ridiculous than the last.
( Full Motion in Sinhala can read in following Images)
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by (2025-03-25 17:27:51)
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