Three victims of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019 have lodged a Fundamental Rights petition with the Supreme Court. The petition, filed by A.M.A. Nishantha, P.M.R. Fernando, and J.A.D.F. Priyantha, aims to secure an order restraining Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon from accepting any further appointments as Acting Inspector General of Police.
The respondents named in the petition include the Attorney General, members of the Constitutional Council, and Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon. The petitioners reference the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, appointed by former President Maithripala Sirisena, which highlighted serious negligence and lapses on the part of public officials, including Senior DIG Tennakoon. The commission recommended disciplinary action against them in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Furthermore, the petitioners cite a letter dated June 26, 2023, from Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to the Speaker. The letter expressed concerns about Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena and Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon, outlining reasons why these individuals were deemed unqualified for the position of Inspector General of Police.
As part of their plea, the victims seek an order restraining the Constitutional Council from granting approval to the President, as per Article 41C of the Constitution, regarding the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police. The petition is represented by Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayawardena. Stay tuned for updates on this developing legal matter.
