An agreement has been reached between the Attorney General (AG) and the legal counsels of the suspects implicated in the 2023 shooting incident near a hotel in Weligama.

In this regard, the AG has issued a special notice today (16) regarding the order to arrest former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon and six other suspects in connection with the incident.

Accordingly, based on the agreement reached, the AG has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) not to arrest the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and five other accused, excluding the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is wanted in connection with the incident and is currently absconding. 

The Police Media Division stated that the AG has instructed that the statements of these individuals be recorded once they appear before the CID.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered the arrest of 8 former officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), including former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, and to name them as suspects in the shooting incident that took place in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara on December 31, 2023.

Following this, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been instructed to arrest and produce the eight individuals, including former Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, before the court.

CID directed not to arrest OIC of CCD and 5 others over 2023 Weligama shooting by Adaderana Online on Scribd