The Manhunt for Sri Lanka’s Police Chief: A Crisis of Accountability
Sri Lanka is in the grip of a deepening crisis as its police chief, Inspector-General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, has gone into hiding following a court order for his arrest. The warrant, issued by a magistrate in the southern part of the island, stems from allegations that Tennakoon ordered a disastrous raid that resulted in the death of a police officer. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and raised questions about the accountability of those in power. Since the warrant was issued on Friday, Tennakoon’s whereabouts have remained unknown, and a team of officers dispatched to arrest him found him absent from his residence, with even his bodyguards seemingly unaware of his location.
A Botched Raid and Its Aftermath
The events leading to Tennakoon’s arrest warrant began on December 31, 2023, when he authorized a raid on a hotel in Weligama, a popular resort town located about 150 kilometers south of the capital, Colombo. The operation was intended to uncover illegal drugs, but it went horribly wrong. Unbeknownst to the local police, Tennakoon had sent an undercover unit from Colombo to conduct the search. When the two groups encountered each other, confusion turned to chaos, and a gun battle ensued. Tragically, one officer was killed, and another was critically injured. No drugs were found at the hotel, adding to the confusion and scandal surrounding the operation.
A Controversial Figure in a Troubled System
Tennakoon’s career has been marked by controversy long before the Weligama incident. His appointment as Inspector-General of Police in November 2023 was widely criticized, as it came despite a prior finding by the Supreme Court that he had allegedly tortured a suspect by rubbing menthol balm on his genitals while the suspect was in custody. The court had ordered Tennakoon to pay half a million rupees (approximately $1,600) to the victim, but the government at the time chose to ignore judicial orders to take disciplinary action against him. This decision to appoint him to the highest position in the police force, despite such serious allegations, has been seen by many as a clear miscarriage of justice and a sign of deep-seated corruption within the system.
The Court Steps In: A Rare Display of Judicial Resolve
In a rare display of judicial independence, a magistrate in the southern part of the island issued the arrest warrant for Tennakoon. The court also imposed a foreign travel ban on the embattled police chief, effectively preventing him from leaving Sri Lanka. This move is seen as an attempt to ensure that Tennakoon does not evade justice, given his influence and the resources at his disposal. The magistrate’s decision has been welcomed by many as a rare example of accountability in a system often criticized for protecting high-ranking officials.
The Government’s Role in the Crisis
The government’s handling of Tennakoon’s appointment and the subsequent fallout has raised serious questions about its commitment to rule of law and accountability. Despite the Supreme Court’s earlier findings against Tennakoon, he was appointed to the top police position, a decision that has been widely condemned as a glaring example of impunity. The government’s failure to act on the court’s orders in the torture case has further eroded public trust in the system. As the manhunt for Tennakoon continues, many are left wondering how such a controversial figure was allowed to rise to such a position of power.
The Bigger Picture: A Crisis of Trust and Governance
The unfolding drama surrounding Deshabandu Tennakoon is not just about one man’s alleged misconduct; it speaks to a broader crisis of governance and accountability in Sri Lanka. The fact that the police chief, of all people, is now a fugitive from justice underscores the deep rot within the system. The incident has also highlighted the dangers of Political interference in law enforcement and the judiciary, which has long been a issue in the country. As the search for Tennakoon continues, Sri Lankans are left to grapple with the uncomfortable truth that those tasked with upholding the law are often the same ones who break it. The case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic reform to restore public trust and ensure that no one is above the law.
