1 January 2024 07:59 pm Views - 1682
The petitioners A.M.A. Nishantha, P.M.R. Fernando and J.A.D.F. Priyantha, victims of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019 filed this petition naming the Attorney General, members of the Constitutional Council and Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as respondents.
The petitioners stated that the Commission of Inquiry appointed by former President Maithripala Sirisena, to inquire into the Easter Sunday bombings of 2019 had made several findings of serious negligence and or lapses on the part of numerous public officials, and officials serving in the Sri Lanka Police including Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon and had recommended taking disciplinary action against them.
The petitioners further said by letter dated June 26, 2023, Colombo Archbishop Malcom Cardinal Ranjith wrote to the Speaker expressing concerns relating to Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena and Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon and explaining the reasons on why the said individuals were not qualified to be appointed as IGP.
The petitioners further seek an order restraining the Constitutional Council from granting approval to the President, in terms of Article 41C of the Constitution, with regard to the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police.
This petition has been filed through Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayawardena.