AG Moves to Indict Ex-Police Chief Deshabandu Within a Month

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that indictments will be filed within a month against former Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon over his alleged involvement in the 2022 attack on protesters at the Galle Face “GotaGoGama” site.

The development emerged during proceedings related to an appeal challenging a Court of Appeal ruling, which had previously nullified a directive sent to the Criminal Investigation Department naming Tennakoon as a suspect in connection with the incident.

The petition was taken up before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices A.H.M.D. Nawaz, Achala Wengappuli, and Sampath Wijeratne. 

Appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, Deputy Solicitor General Suharshi Herath informed the bench that steps were being taken to file charges against Tennakoon as a respondent in the case.

During the hearing, presiding Justice Nawaz queried the timeframe required to proceed with the indictment. In response, the Deputy Solicitor General assured the court that necessary legal action would be initiated within a month.

Representing Tennakoon, President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva argued that if charges were to be formally filed against his client, continuing with the current proceedings would serve no practical purpose.

After considering submissions from both sides, the Supreme Court bench ordered that the petition be recalled on September 2 for further hearing.