Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of violating the country's Constitution with the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Premadasa claimed that the Constitutional Council (CC) did not approve Tennakoon's appointment, marking the second instance of constitutional infringement.
In a statement posted on social media platform 'X' (formerly known as Twitter), Premadasa revealed that during the CC meeting, four members voted in favor of Tennakoon, while two opposed it, and two abstained. He emphasized that according to constitutional provisions, at least five votes are required for a decision, with the Speaker only possessing a casting vote in the event of a tie.
"4/2 is not a tie! Constitution is being blatantly violated for the second time. Shame on you speaker!" Premadasa tweeted.
However, the President's Media Division (PMD) confirmed the appointment of Senior DIG and Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon as the 36th IGP of Sri Lanka on Monday (26). According to the PMD, this appointment aligns with the provisions outlined in Articles 41C.(1) and 61E.(b) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, granting President Ranil Wickremesinghe the authority to make such appointments.
