News
Matara DIG provided protection over life threats regarding Deshabandu case
View(s):By Ranjith Padmasiri
Matara Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Nishantha Soysa has asked for protection to be provided to him as he is facing threats to his life after providing a statement to detectives investigating suspended Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.
The DIG has written to the IGP, the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses and the Police’s Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division requesting protection.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Dileepa Peiris, PC also informed the Matara Magistrate’s Court about the alleged death threats the DIG is facing when Deshabandu Tennakoon was granted bail on April 10.
Matara Magistrate Aruna Indrajith Buddhadasa had then ordered DIG Soysa to be given the necessary protection.
DIG Soysa had allegedly faced death threats after giving a statement to investigators stating that Mr. Tennakoon contacted him to obtain information about the W 15 hotel prior to the shooting that occurred near the premises on December 31, 2023.
In a separate development, the Matara Magistrate has also ordered the Attorney General to file contempt of court charges against Mr. Tennakoon for bringing a vehicle into the court premises after being granted bail, despite the court rejecting such a request. The magistrate has also ordered police to investigate whether anyone assisted the vehicle to enter the court premises despite there being a ban on outsiders’ vehicles entering court.
Meanwhile, Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has appointed a four-member police team to assist the Committee of Inquiry (CoI) investigating the charges against Mr. Tennakoon. The police team will be led by Assistant Superintendent of Police P. Rohan Wijayakoon. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, PC has also nominated ASG Dileepa Peiris and Dweputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera to assist the CoI.
The CoI will be headed by Supreme Court Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, with other members being Chairman of the Committee to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Neil Iddawela and National Police Commission Chairman Lalith Ekanayake.
The CoI has already convened twice in Parliament and taken several decisions. It is due to convene in Parliament again tomorrow (28).
The Sunday Times understands that the CoI has decided to first investigate the charges against Mr. Tennakoon before holding a formal inquiry.
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